MANITOWOC – Get your sand-shovel and sunscreen ready — the fourth annual Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival at Red Arrow Park and Beach is set for July 18-19.
The two-day event, which attracts thousands to the lakeshore area, features a weekend-long semi-pro sand sculpting competition, plus an amateur competition, vendor booths and an entertainment tent. There’s also a live DJ, live musical performances, S.S. Badger “Badger Bingo,” food trucks and more.
The event starts at 10 a.m. on July 18. Nine semi-pro sand sculptors will have already begun their multi-ton masterpieces. Throughout the weekend, festival attendees can watch the action and chat with the sand sculptors.
You can help judge the competition
Visitors can help judge the competition by casting their vote for People’s Choice.
The 2026 Amateur Sand Sculpting State Championship kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18. This competition is open to both individuals and teams. Registration is still open, but limited sand plots remain.
This is the first large-scale event to take place at Red Arrow Park and beach since it opened to the public in early July after the city completed a majority of its beach access and improvements project. Those who attend the event can expect better access with new concrete pathways from a new parking area. A new stone seating area in the hill offers a bird’s eye view of the sculptures below. Finishing touches from this project’s initial phase will be installed within the park and beach area in coming weeks.
For the full event schedule and more, including how to register for the amateur competition and volunteer sign up, visit www.visitmanitowoc.com/wssf.
The event is free to the public, but donations to the Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary are appreciated.
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@usatodayco.com or call 920-606-2575.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Red Arrow Park to host Wisconsin Sand Sculpting competition July 18-19
Reporting by Patti Zarling, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Patti Zarling, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter | USA TODAY Network
