Carl Jara (2002 Hampton Beach Sandsculpting First Place) Lyndhurst, Ohio, USA "Summer Stones" 1st Place Winner
Dan Doubleday (2001 & 2004 Hampton Beach Sandsculpting First Place) Treasure Island, Florida, USA "Facing Yourself" Sculptor's Choice Winner 2nd Place Winner
Meredith Corson Treasure Island, Florida, USA "Fanta"Sea" People's Choice 3rd Place Winner
Fred Mallett Port Aransas, Texas, USA "Every Duck's Dream" 4th Place Winner
Marc Lepire (2003 Hampton Beach Sandsculpting First Place) Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada "History Repeating Itself" (front) 5th Place Winner
Marc Lepire (2003 Hampton Beach Sandsculpting First Place) Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada "History Repeating Itself" (side) 5th Place Winner
Marc Lepire (2003 Hampton Beach Sandsculpting First Place) Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada "History Repeating Itself" (back) 5th Place Winner
Michel Lepire Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada "Music Box"
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Craig Osborne/ Democrat photo Antillio Topazio of Rhode Island puts the finishing touches on his sand sculpture during the seventh annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach on Saturday.
HAMPTON BEACH — Master sand sculptors put the final touches on designs ranging from contemporary works to more playful creations Saturday, as thousands of viewers circled around them.
For about a week, beachgoers will be able to enjoy the masterpieces of the 12 sculptors from across the country and Canada. This was the event's seventh year and is by invitation only.
The public was asked to judge the works by dropping a ticket into a bucket in front of their favorite creation.
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Craig Osborne/ Democrat photo Art Knapp of Long Island, N.Y., works on his sculpture during the seventh annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach on Saturday.
Professionals also judged the sculptures. The first-prize winner will receive $2,500. Each participant received $500.
Marc Lepire of Charlesbourg, Quebec, was finishing up "History Repeating," which showed a knight and a futuristic fighter on opposite sides of a wall. Meredith Corson of Treasure Island, Fla., created a display of sea life in delicate details. Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wieranga designed a great lady with villages growing out of her cape in intricate patterns.
The sculptors did not seem bothered as people flowed by snapping pictures and admiring their work, most of them being veterans who are used to the gawking masses.
Some of the sculptors have appeared on the Travel Channel show "Sand Blasters," including Meredith Corson and Dan Doubleday, who won the TV show's competition with their zipper head man titled "Closed Minded" this year.
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Craig Osborne/ Democrat photo thousands of people gathered to watch the seventh annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach on Saturday.
"It is fun to say I compete against those people," Steve Topazio of Tiverton, R.I., said. Topazio has been sand sculpting professionally for about five years.
He said it is not upsetting when the sculptures come down.
"It is a performing art," he said.
Since Thursday, the sculptors have been working independently to turn piles of silty sand into works of art.
"It's amazing what they do and the patience that goes into it," said Karen Lasante, a seasonal resident of Hampton Beach. Her daughter, Taylor Lasante, 10, said her favorite was the parade sculpture, which was a collaboration of all the master sculptors, including organizer and judge Greg Grady.
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Craig Osborne/ Democrat photo Lucinda Wieranga of South Padre Island, Texas, works on the side of her elaborate entry. * Order a print of this photo
The parade theme was a celebration of the Hampton Beach district's 100th year.
Those inspired by the sculptures could learn techniques to create their own in a nearby area using the same sand as the professionals and similar tools.
The sculptures will be bulldozed down on June 29.
"It is the saddest day in the world," a Hampton Beach Chamber of Commerce employee said earlier this week.
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Craig Osborne/Citizen photo Meredith Corson of Treasure Island, Fla., works on her creation during the seventh annual Master Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach on Saturday.
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Karen Fralich of Ontario, Canada, shovels sand around her sculpture. Craig Osborne/ Democrat photo