Matthew Deibert, one of the participants, plans to mold 10 tons of sand into a masterpiece inspired by AI that depicts a robot holding people by strings being sucked through a vortex.

“It’s a very hard competition here to have, [there are] very talented artists on the beach,” he said.

Sculptor Melineige Beauregard worked on, “Revolutions Start Here.”Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

For the festival’s 21st year, organizers decided to honor the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. In addition to the Paul Revere centerpiece statue, attendees can enjoy the free multi-day event that features 75 food vendors, amusement rides, various activities, and a fireworks show.

The winner of the sand castle competition, whose participants have come from all over the world, will be crowned on Saturday.

Melineige Beauregard, one of the judges, said she enjoys the sand sculpting festival’s competitive nature.

“It’s really difficult to judge, and we all have different styles. But still for me, it’s still kind of a rush of competing to try to push myself more,” said Beauregard, who previously participated in the competition.

Bruce Phillips, a sand sculptor from San Diego, has been sculpting since he was introduced to the concept at his local mall in 1992. His piece this year features chains wrapped around a sand block.

Phillips said sand sculpting is usually a solitary endeavor, so he liked that a lot of sculptors were gathered in one place.

“There’s probably 100 master-level artists and we don’t always get to work together on different projects.. it’s always good to get together in the evenings and while working,” Phillips said.

Bruce Phillips, of San Diego, CA, sprayed down a column of sand.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Marissa Babin traveled from Malden to attend the festival and see the detailed sculptures. The creations never cease to amaze Babin, who’s an artist herself.

“I love drawing. I have no experience doing sand sculptures or anything like that, but I guess because I love art so much in general, that’s why I find it really cool,” she said.

Adrienne Maguire, executive board member of the Revere Beach Partnership, a nonprofit that works to make the beach more enjoyable for visitors, first introduced the idea of a sand sculpting competition 21 years ago. To Maguire, the festival showcases the Partnership’s mission to “preserve and enhance America’s first public beach.”

“We know that the sculptors love being here and to me, that means we’re doing something right,” she said

Polish sculptor Wiaczeslaw Borecki shaped one of the faces in his piece, Deep Sleep. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Connie Neibauer and Jacob Stoll, who are visiting Revere from Wisconsin for a family wedding, stumbled upon the sand sculptures while walking down the beach.

“[The sculptures] are beautiful and the detail is amazing,” Neibauer said. “I’ve seen ice sculptures in Wisconsin, but [in] bad weather, they melt quickly. This is really cool to walk up to.”

Artists must finish their pieces by 2 p.m. on Saturday, and then visitors can vote for their favorites from 2 to 4 p.m. The winner will be announced on Saturday night, but the sculptures will remain on the beach through the end of the festival on Sunday.

Matthew Deibert, of Smithville, NJ, shaped the head of his piece at Revere Beach. Of the impermanence of the medium he said, “that’s what’s cool about it. It’s here, people enjoy it, then it’s gone. If you get attached to your art, then sand sculpting wouldn’t be good for you.” Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Katarina Schmeiszer can be reached at katarina.schmeiszer@globe.com. Follow her on X at @katschmeiszer.