HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. - Take 250 tons of sand and 21 hours and what have you got?

For participants in the annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition, the ingredients add up to a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money and qualify for the World Championships of sand sculpting in Atlantic City this summer.

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The 13th annual competition runs from this Thursday through Saturday, with each participant given 10 tons of sand with which to work.

Awards are given out Saturday night, and the sculptures will remain on display through July 7. This year's field includes 2012 winner Carl Jara of Lyndhurst, Ohio, and four-time world champion Karen Fralich from Canada. Another competitor is David Andrews, the reigning U.S. National Snow Sculpting champion.

Organizers say rain makes the sculptures strong, and urge vacationers and day-trippers alike to turn a rainy summer day into an excellent opportunity to view the sculptures. Visitors may sign up for free sand sculpting lessons Friday and Saturday. Lessons take place between 1 and 3 p.m. both days. The event will be capped off by fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The photos above feature stunning sand sculptures from the event and other amazing creations from previous years from around the world. For more information, visit the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Competition's website.

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