Artists will be sculpting the sands of Red Arrow Beach for what’s become a favorite summer tradition in Manitowoc.
Semi-pro sand sculptures are getting their creations started for the 4th Annual Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival at Red Arrow Beach in Manitowoc today, with the public portion of the event running tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit Manitowoc Tourism Director Courtney Hansen tells Seehafernews.com that the festival has become a staple event for both residents and visitors.
“We have a lot of people who plan their summer travel around this event,” she explained. “That’s all we dreamed about when we launched this a few years ago.”
Although the sand-sculpting schedule will remain the same, the biggest change to the festival is Red Arrow Beach itself.
Hansen says updates to the beach provide greater accessibility for everyone to see the sand sculptures.
But when the public is invited to the event on Saturday, sculptures for the semi-pros won’t be quite complete.
Amateur sculpting will be done only on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AND Hansen noted that “judging will take place and we’ll have the awards ceremony at 4:00 p.m.”
Semi-pro sculptors will have to be finished by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, with awards happening at 4:00 p.m.
Like in years past, attendees can pick their favorite sand sculpture for the people’s choice award.
Hansen says the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival keeps bringing people back because of the Red Arrow Beach and the art it celebrates.
“There is truly something for everyone at this event,” she described. “Because, even if you are not down at the beach looking at the sand sculptures, there’s food, there’s drinks, there’s vendors, there’s entertainment. Even Badger Bingo, which is something you can’t experience unless you are sailing aboard the SS Badger. So, we tried to put a few unique elements in that make it a destination for families, for couples, for individuals.”
Those visiting Red Arrow Park are asked to avoid walking on the beach until the festival officially opens on Saturday.
More information about this year’s Sand Sculpting Festival can be found at visitmanitowoc.com.
