May 22, 2025, Charlestown, RI – South County Tourism Council would like to invite you to Atlantis RIsing, our third annual international sand sculpture competition, taking place at Ninigret Park on May 30-June 1, 2025.
Atlantis RIsing is Rhode Island’s first and only sand sculpture competition. We have 10 internationally renowned sand artists from all over the world — including South Korea, Lithuania, Russia, Holland and more —competing for a cash prize. The prizes are as follows: first place $7,500, second place $5,000, third place $4,000 and People’s Choice $2,500. The judges will announce the winners at 2 PM on Sunday, June 1st. Attendees can vote for their favorite (the People’s Choice award) and that will be announced after the event.
“This year’s theme is enchanted garden,” says Louise Bishop, South County Tourism Council President. “In 2023 the event brought in over 26,000 people to Misquamicut State Beach in October and we expect this year will surpass that. Moving to Ninigret Park and in season will hopefully bring in even more people, so make your hotel reservations, put on your fairy wings and come check it out,” she urges.
The tented event will go on rain or shine. We changed the location and the dates for several reasons, we outgrew the space at Misquamicut and needed more parking, and by bringing the event into the official season, we hope warmer weather will attract more visitors. The bonus is the Thomas Dambo Trolls are right there in Ninigret Park as well, and free to visit before or after Atlantis RIsing. There will be fun for the whole family, including live music, photo opportunities, food, vendors and more. Captain Jack Sparrow returns and will wander the crowd and be available for photos. A sand sculpting lesson tent is where both kids and adults can learn how to sculpt with sand from sand sculpting masters. Musical performances will include local favorites, Sugar, Buddy Fanjoy, The Nomadics, Steve Smith and the Nakeds, Take it to the Bridge, Roomful of Blues and Glimmertree.
See a full schedule of events and the best way to enjoy the event here. Get to know who the artists are here.
The Beer & Wine tent is sponsored by Whaler’s and wine is from Gooseneck Vineyards. There will be lots of delicious food vendors including, Cousins Maine Lobster, Vetrano’s Pizzeria, The Breachway Grill, Gansett Poke, California Taco Shop, Sunset Farm, Del’s and more.
Craft vendors include Anchored In Clothing, Herbs and Mylk, Low Tide Jewelry, Nauti Girl Boat Décor and More, and more. Also, don’t miss the South County Tourism merchandise tent where there are new designs for Atlantis RIsing, including tank tops printed by Cinder & Salt, and newly arrived eco-friendly, Thomas Dambo troll t-shirts for the whole family!
Tickets are available at the gate for $15 for adults and children over 10; $7 for children 10-6 and children 5 and under are free. No dogs or pets of any kind are allowed.
The South County Tourism Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich and Westerly as a single leisure travel destination known as “South County”. For more information, please visit southcountyri.com.
