The Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival is the only one of its kind in the entire state of Wisconsin. A three-day event at Manitowoc’s Red Arrow Park and Beach, this unique festival kicks off on Friday with 10 competitive semi-pro sand sculptors and 4 competitive teams beginning to construct their sculptures. An award ceremony will conclude the weekend on Sunday in the afternoon to commemorate the completed sculptures and crown the champion.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can watch and chat with competing sculptors in action, participate in hands-on amateur competitions, and watch sand sculpting demonstrations and speed sculpting shows. In addition, there will be an entertainment tent featuring a variety of live performances, food trucks, cold drinks, and vendor booths. Cash only.

Spectators are encouraged to spend their time at the beach within the event area, but coolers and dogs are not permitted.

$5.00/person/day $10.00/person/3 day pass 2 and under free

Event Schedule

Friday, July 19 – 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• 2:00 p.m. – Event opens with National Anthem
• 2:30 p.m. – Live music with Keith Menzies
• 3:00 p.m. – Quick Sand speed sculpting show
• 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Live music with Keith Menzies
• 5:00 p.m. – Hands-on lessons on the beach
• 5:30 p.m. – Sand sculpting demonstration
• 6:00 p.m. – Sculptors strop for the day
• 6:30 p.m. – Quick Sand speed sculpting show
• 7:00 p.m. – Event closes

Saturday, July 20 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

• 9:00 a.m. – Amateur Competition registration at main entrance
• 10:00 a.m. – Event opens with National Anthem
• 10:00 a.m. – Amateur Competition begins on the beach
• 11:00 a.m. – Hands-on lessons on the beach
• 11:30 a.m. – Sand sculpting demonstration
• 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Live music with Keith Menzies
• 1:00 p.m. – Quick Sand speed sculpting show
• 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Live music with Jack Neumann
• 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Face painting with Renee
• 2:00 p.m. – Hands-on lessons on the beach
• 3:00 p.m. – Amateur Competition judging begins on the beach
• 3:30 p.m. – Speed Sculpting demonstration
• 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Live music with Cash O’Riley
• 5:30 p.m. – Quick Sand speed sculpting show
• 6:00 p.m. – Sculptor stop for the day
• 6:00 p.m. – Amateur Competition awards ceremony
• 7:00 p.m. – Event closes

Sunday, July 21 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• 10:00 a.m. – Event opens with National Anthem
• 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – People’s Choice Judging
• 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Live music with Jack Newman
• 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – S.S. Badger BINGO
• 1:00 p.m. – Sand sculpting demonstration
• 1:00 p.m. – Hands-on lessons on the beach
• 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Live music with Lee Nicholes
• 2:00 p.m. – Sculptors stop
• 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. – Live music with Keith Menzies
• 4:00 p.m. – Quick Sand speed sculpting show championship
• 4:30 p.m. – Awards ceremony
• 5:00 p.m. – Event closes

Semi-Pro Competition

Seventeen semi-pro sand sculptors from five states across the country will compete for the top prizes of the weekend. Sculptors will sculpt Friday-Sunday. Judging will taking place on Sunday, with the Awards Ceremony taking place at 4:30 p.m.  This year, there will be nine sculptors competing in the solo division and three teams competing in the new doubles division.

Amateur Competition 

The 2024 Amateur Sand Sculpting State Championship will take place Saturday and is open to both individuals and teams. Registration runs 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. and the contest runs 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Awards Ceremony takes place at 6:00 p.m.

Food Trucks and Vendors 

Street parking is available surrounding the event site. A shuttle service is provided on select festival dates. All parking and the shuttle service is free.