A Memorable Family Day at Hampton Beach Sand Sculpture Classic
Lauren McDonagh-Pereira Photography
A TRip to the 2023 HampTon Beach Sand Sculpture classic
My family has a long history with Hampton Beach. My maternal grandmother (Nana) started visiting with her family every summer as a child.
When my Nana had a family of her own, she and my Pa packed all of their kids into a station wagon and made the 60-minute drive up to New Hampshire’s longest sandy beach for a ten day vacation at the end of each summer.
To this day, my Nana, aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children still come together at Hampton Beach every Labor Day weekend.
Hampton Beach holds a special place in my heart and in my family history. I am delighted that I get to continue the tradition of beach days at Hampton with my own children.
On Friday, June 18th, 2023, I took my 1-year-old and 4 year-old to the 2023 Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition, with the help of my mother-in-law.
I’m Lauren. I’m a photographer, mom, blogger, and school counselor.
In this post I will detail my experience at the 2023 Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic, so you can plan your own trip to this exciting annual event.
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What is Hampton Beach?
Hampton Beach is a popular destination, known for its scenic coastline, vibrant atmosphere, and a wide range of attractions and activities.
As one of the most well-known beach destinations on the New Hampshire coastline, Hampton Beach draws tourists from within the region and beyond.
Its proximity to major cities like Boston and its reputation as a family-friendly beach contribute to its popularity. The beach offers a wide range of amenities, including lifeguard stations, restrooms, and picnic areas, making it a convenient choice for visitors seeking a relaxing day by the ocean.
Hampton Beach also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, which further contribute to its popularity.
The annual Sand Sculpting Competition, Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, and live performances at venues like the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom and Seashell Stage draw large crowds and add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Additionally, Hampton Beach’s boardwalk, lined with shops, restaurants, and amusement arcades, provides entertainment and dining options for visitors of all ages.
The availability of various accommodations, including beachfront hotels, cottages, and campgrounds, caters to different preferences and budgets.
It’s important to note that the popularity of Hampton Beach may vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and specific events or holidays. The summer season tends to be the busiest, with increased visitor numbers, while the shoulder seasons and off-peak times may offer a more tranquil and relaxed atmosphere.
Overall, Hampton Beach’s blend of natural beauty, diverse attractions, and lively atmosphere contribute to its reputation as a popular and beloved destination among locals and tourists alike.
What is the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic?
The Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition has a rich history that dates back several decades.
It all started in 2000, when master sculptor Greg Grady created a large replica of the newly minted New Hampshire state quarter during the annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival.
The competition began in the early 2000s as a small-scale event organized by a group of local enthusiasts passionate about sand sculpting. Their goal was to bring together talented sculptors and showcase the incredible art form to the public. The first competitions featured a handful of sculptors and drew a modest crowd of spectators.
The event was such a hit with visitors to the beach, that in 2001, Greg Grady trucked 220 tons of specialized sand sculpting sand to the beach and invited 10 sculpting masters to New Hampshire for the 1st Annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition.
As the years went by, the competition gained popularity and recognition, attracting both local and international sand sculptors eager to display their skills. The event started to grow in size, and the sculptures became more intricate and elaborate.
In 2001, the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition joined forces with the Master Sand Sculptors, a group of renowned professional sand sculptors from around the world. This partnership elevated the competition to new heights, attracting top-tier sculptors and increasing the level of competition.
Over time, the competition expanded to become a multi-day event, allowing visitors more opportunities to witness the sculpting process and admire the finished creations. The event not only showcases individual sand sculptures but also features team competitions, where sculptors collaborate to create larger and more complex works of art.
The Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition became an annual highlight of the summer season, drawing thousands of spectators and participants from near and far. The event gained recognition as one of the premier sand sculpting competitions in the United States.
Throughout its history, the competition has continued to innovate and evolve. It has introduced additional activities and attractions to engage visitors of all ages, including interactive sand sculpting lessons, live music performances, and vendor booths offering food and crafts.
The Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition has become a beloved tradition, offering a unique blend of art, entertainment, and coastal charm. It continues to captivate audiences with its breathtaking sculptures and serves as a platform for sand sculptors to showcase their talent and push the boundaries of the art form.
As the competition moves into the future, it is likely to continue its legacy of celebrating the beauty and creativity of sand sculpting, enchanting generations to come with its awe-inspiring creations.
What Were the 2023 Hampton Beach Sand Sculptures?
The theme for 2023 was “The Sand Before Time”.
Sculptures focused on creating dinosaurs and historically-inspired masterpieces out of sand.
Did my Kids Enjoy the Sand Sculpture Competition?
Madeline (22 months) and Oliver (4 years old) were fascinated by the sand sculpture competition at Hampton Beach.
Oliver watched the artists’ work on their masterpieces with curious interest.
Oliver had a million questions for me, “How do they make the sand sculptures?”, “Why don’t the sculptures collapse?”, “How long will it take them to build the sculptures?”. “Can I make a giant sand sculpture?”
After we watched the artist’s work, he set to work on the beach, building his own creation in the wet sand by the shore.
Madeline liked the dinosaur sculptures the best. She excitedly pointed out the T-Rex, the triceratops, and all the dinosaur eggs hidden within the main promotional sculpture.
Inspired, by the fierce sand dinosaurs, she kept spinning around to face the crowd and proudly roar at people passing by.
My toddler and preschooler absolutely loved the sand sculpting competition at Hampton Beach.
It’s a pretty safe bet that your kids will also be inspired by this beloved annual tradition.
What Else Did We Do at Hampton Beach?
On this particular beach, we decided to skip the boardwalk and head straight to the sand.
I wanted to pack light, so I brought my Radio Flyer 3-In-1 EZ Folding Outdoor Collapsible Wagon. I pulled the wagon from our parking spot to the Sand Sculptures, and down to the beach with both kids and all of our supplies inside.
The wagon provided smooth sailing on the concrete sidewalks of the boardwalk, but I needed my heavier 4-year-old to hop out and walk when we got to the sand.
I found a ramp directly behind the Seashell Stage to avoid the stairs and pull my wagon full of supplies down to the beach.
I filled my Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Large Family Tote Bag with beach toys, sunblock and enough beach towels to sit on and dry off with.
I decided not to bring my beach tent or beach chairs on this particular trip. We only planned to stay on the beach for a couple of hours, and I didn’t want to have to carry the extra weight.
While I set up with the kids in the sand, my mother-in-law went up to the Hampton Beach Casino to buy us a pizza for lunch.
The whole cheese pizza was $18.00, which isn’t a bad price for lunch for 4 at the beach.
I took all of the supplies out of the wagon and used it as a table to serve the pizza to everyone while keeping our lunch out of the sand.
After lunch, Oliver, Madeline, and I went to play in the water.
Usually in June, the water is absolutely frigid, but to my surprise the water was pretty warm by Hampton standards. We spent an hour jumping in over the waves, and building mud castles in the wet sand.
Both kids loved it. I have been bringing them both to the beach since they were infants. Oliver’s first beach day was in the Florida Keys at 4 months-old, and Madeline’s was a trip to Hampton at only 4 weeks old.
Eventually, Oliver hit his cold-tolerance limit, so I wrapped him up in the custom hooded Spiderman towel that my mother and law had made for him, and convinced Madeline that it was time to get away from the shore and warm up a bit.
After a quick change into dry clothes in the bathrooms behind the sea shell stage we were ready to hit the playground.
The playground has been there for decades. I have found memories of playing on it as a child myself.
Both kids love the playground, and I can never get away with leaving Hampton Beach without spending at least an hour on the playground.
After the playground, we cruised in our wagon past the sand sculpture contest again to see the progress that the artists had made during our hours on the beach and playground.
Oliver begged for a dinner at Bernie’s Beach Bar, because he loves to dance to the live bands that often perform there.
My mother-in-law and I were beyond exhausted though, so we convinced him to head back to the car with promises of returning to Hampton Beach several times throughout the summer.
Luckily, we didn’t hit any traffic on our 45-minute ride home to Massachusetts.
By the time we got home, my husband was done working, and I was able to hand the happy, but sandy kids off to him for a bath.
Is Hampton Beach a Good Spot for Family Photography?
Yes!
Hampton Beach is the absolutely perfect shot for family photography!
The large open beach provides a perfect location for candid shots of you and your family having fun together.
During golden hour, though the sun sets on the marsh side, the beach still provides a beautiful backdrop for posed family shots.
I would be happy to discuss your perfect family portrait session at Hampton Beach.
Reach out to booking@laurenmcdonaghpereira.com to schedule a call to discuss your vision.
Conclusion
We absolutely loved our day at Hampton Beach for the 2023 Sand Sculpture Competition.
We will be back often this summer for more Hampton Beach events!
If you enjoyed this write up, please follow me on Pinterest so that you get alerted to all my new articles about Massachusetts Family Fun!
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Lauren McDonagh-Pereira is a photographer from Massachusetts, USA. She captures the beauty of the world around her, favoring Nikon cameras and lenses. She is drawn to shooting landscapes, wildlife, nature, and people authentically enjoying life.