VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Thirty-two professional sand sculptors from around the world are gathering at the Oceanfront this week to compete in the 2025 International Sandsculpting Championship, the centerpiece of the annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend.

The competition takes place September 22–25, when artists will carve 22 large-scale sculptures from sand inside a covered tent at 7th Street. The completed works will be on public display from September 26 through October 5.

This year’s field includes participants from 12 countries. Twelve solo sculptors and 10 doubles teams will compete for what organizers say is the largest prize purse offered in U.S. sand sculpting competitions.

The exhibition space, called the “Land of Sand,” is nearly the length of a football field and features li

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