41st Annual Sand Sculpture Contest
This year marks the 41st Annual Sand Sculpture Contest in Grand Haven, Michigan! The Sand Sculpture Contest is designed to put your sand sculpting skills to the test while spending time with family, friends, and colleagues. Located at Grand Haven City Beach, this event is the perfect way to kick off the summer along the shores of Lake Michigan! Whether visitors choose to participate in the contest or watch from the sidelines, hundreds of people will come to Grand Haven for the Annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Not only is it fun to watch the sculptor’s creativity unfold, but the contest is a great team-building exercise for businesses, clubs, and other organizations!
During the contest, sculptors will have the opportunity to compete in one of five categories, Youth or Adult Individual, Youth or Adult Team, or Family Team. The sculptors will have three hours to create their sand masterpiece, after which a panel of local celebrities will score the sculptures and award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to each category. Visitors who chose not to participate, but to watch from the sideline, are encouraged to vote for their favorites through a “people’s choice” vote! This family-friendly event is a great way to spend time together during Father’s Day weekend and enjoy the beautiful city of Grand Haven!
HOW IT WORKS:
Participants may compete in one of five categories:
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- Youth Individual (age 14 years old and younger)
- Youth Team (age 14 years old and younger, 2-10 participants)
- Family Team (multi-generational team, 2-10 participants)
- Adult Individual (age 15 years old and older)
- Adult Team (age 15 years old and older, 2-10 participants)
Team Captain:
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- Each team will have one team captain
- This individual will be the point of contact for their team
- They will be responsible for making sure all participants in their group know, understand, and follow the contest rules
- The Team Captain is responsible for collecting their group’s t-shirts during the Team Captain Meeting
Event Rules:
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- Only water may be used to set sand
- No coloring of the sand
- Only biodegradable, environmentally friendly products may be used to decorate sculptures
- Participants are responsible for taking all items with them when they leave, including decorations
- No artificial supports of any kind can be used in the final product
- Participants must bring their own tools (pails, shovels, sprinkler cans, etc.)
- Team Captain is responsible for relaying any and all information to their team
- Sculptures must be appropriate for all ages
- Judges have the right to disqualify those not following the rules and/or inappropriate sand sculptures
- Judges decisions are final
- Teams should be at their sand sculptures when judging takes place for pictures and questions
- Awards will be given to the top three contestants in each category
- You may not begin until you hear the blow-horn at 9:30
Schedule:
8:30-9:00am: Day-of registration and check-in at the information tent located on-site
9:00-9:15am: Team Captain’s Meeting to go over rules and hand out participant t-shirts
9:30-12:30pm: Sculpting time!
12:30-1:00pm: Judges will score sculptures, during this time people’s choice vote will be open
1:00pm: Winner’s announced
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Grand Haven City Beach
Registration: $15-$30
In previous years the Chamber has hosted this event. However, the Grand Haven Visitors Bureau is excited to take over the event starting this year, 2024!
HOW TO REGISTER:
Early registration will close on June 13, 2024 at 11:59pm, after which those still interested must register on the day of the event.
Those looking to secure a t-shirt for this year’s event must register by May 28, 2024 at 11:59pm.
Registration may completed through the following methods:
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- Online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sand-sculpture-contest-registration-872957749127
- Email: download the registration form below and submit a completed form to intern@visitgrandhaven.com, upon return we will send an invoice for the registration/t-shirt fee
- In-person: stop by the Grand Haven Visitors Center, 512 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417, to complete your registration form
- Day-Of: registration will be open from 8:30-9:00am the morning of the event at the information tent located on-site
2024 Sand Sculpture Contest Registration Form (5)
STAY UP-TO-DATE:
Follow our social media and visit our web page!
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandsculpturecontest/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandsculpturecontestgh
- Web Page: https://visitgrandhaven.com/events/annual-events/sand-sculpture-contest/
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
For questions, please reach out to intern@visitgrandhaven.com