Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival returns to Manitowoc's Red Arrow Park. Admission is free this year.
The two-day event features a semi-pro sand sculpting competition, an amateur competition, vendor booths, live performances, food trucks and more.
Visit Manitowoc said in a news release that the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival has attracted thousands of visitors to Manitowoc in past years.
Six semi-pro sand sculptors will begin creating their masterpieces before the festival opens July 19 and will continue working on them until judging July 20.
People can cast their vote for their favorite sculpture and the one who receives the most votes will win the People's Choice Award.
Read more: Manitowoc launches Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Where is it & how does it work?
The 2025 Amateur Sand Sculpting State Championship will kick off when the festival opens at 10 a.m. July 19.
The competition is open to both individuals and team. According to the news release, registration is still open, but limited sand plots remain.
Read more: Grizzly's Food and Spirits closing Manitowoc location, will resume business in Two Rivers
For the first time since the first festival in 2023, the event is free to the public. The news release said sponsors have offset the costs of putting on the event to the extent that an admission cost is no longer necessary.
Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary, an event organizing partner, will be accepting donations to fund their charities.
For a full event schedule and more details, including a sign up for the amateur competition, go to visitmanitowoc.com/wssf.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival in Manitowoc: Free admission in 2025
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