Massive Sand Sculptures Bring Beauty to Westerly Beaches This Fall

The Ocean State boasts a lot of sand and this fall some of that sand will be transformed into works of art at the first International Atlantis RIsing International Sand Sculpture Competition.

If you happen to have been down in South County in Rhode Island recently, you may have noticed several towering sculptures of sand around the area. These commissioned works of art are the South County Tourism Council's fun way of announcing their newest family-friendly event.

Taking place over Columbus Day weekend, on Oct. 7-10, the multi-day competition will feature 10 sand sculptors from all over the world vying for bragging rights in their artistic field and your vote can help them win.

The ticketed family event will take place at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly and everyone in attendance gets a chance to cast their vote for their favorite sculpture. Not to mention the chance to enjoy food trucks, live music, photo ops and activities for the kids all while watching some of the best sand sculptors in the world do what they do best.

Some of those sculptors have already come through town to give folks a preview of the type of sculptures they can see later this year.

Several beautiful works of sand art are already up in Charlestown and Westerly with the South County Tourism Council telling us there will be "more sand sculptures and art installations leading up to the event."

So, while sculptures may pop up throughout the summer, it's fall's Columbus Day weekend when the main event will draw families back to the South County beaches.

Louise Bishop, South County Tourism Council President says: “We look forward to creating a new annual event to serve as an attraction to bring visitors to South County in the off-season, when our businesses need the most help."

If you look forward to this event, too, keep scrolling to see the teaser sculptures revealed so far as well as other works from artists who will craft in Rhode Island this fall.