You’ve got to get over to Revere Beach this week and into the weekend for the Sand Castle competition that is being held once again.
Right now, the contestants from all over the world are busy preparing their newest creations – sand sculptures of the first order completed by professionals who know what they are doing.
The sand has already been delivered to the site, which is the area of Revere Beach from the Gazebo almost down to the first bath house.
Within that space during the next 8 days, more than 500,000 will come to take a peek at the sculptures and to enjoy the summer at the beach with their friends and kids.
There is, quite frankly, no local event like it.
There will be a full array of food stands, musical entertainment and an over the top fireworks display.
Full details are available in the full-page advertisements that have been running in the Times-Free Press.
What makes the event so special is the vast amount of interest the sand castle week has generated throughout the New England area.
A half million anticipated visitors to the festival is likely a much lower number than the exact total to view them.
What does this mean for Revere and what can Eastie organizers of all kinds learn from this?
It means that Revere becomes a far different place visited by hundreds and hundreds of thousands who come here because Revere is the destination.
That’s the secret.
It isn’t because of the beach – although the beach is part of the appeal. It isn’t because of the food and multiple activities although that is also part of the attraction. The real attraction is a well thought out public art event in a city not really known for its interest in art.
The event puts Revere on the map the way a major horse race puts East Boston on the map.
East Boston Chamber of Commerce officials, and especially its president, former Boston city councilor Diane Modica should get over to Revere and start taking notes.
Something here on the fashion of the sand castle event should be replicated in East Boston.
What would that be?
That would take a good discussion.
But you can bet the mayor would have an idea or two about how to put East’s best face forward and to have a year-to-year event that shouts out for the world to see – that Eastie is the place to be.
Eastie attracted huge crowds to its empty waterfront lots when the Tall Ships first came.
It is a different Eastie today, and Eastie ripe not only for waterfront development but for an event that captivates and draws huge crowds.