Every great Octopus sand sculpture begins with the head.

Using a mixture of sand and water, the sculptor must create the base of their sea creature.

Then, the artist will work their way out to each of its eight tentacles.

Though sculptors should be aware of the special techniques necessary to bring the piece all together, including soft brush strokes to shape the sand.

This was the advice Onset’s legendary Mr. Sandman, Rodney Johnson, gave the Garland family at the Onset Bay Association’s Family Beach Day Saturday, July 15.

Lou Garland, 9, made it his mission to bring the aquatic creature to life after learning all about octopi in school and he knew the best way to ensure perfection was to talk to the Sandman himself.

Lou’s siblings had their own ambitious undertakings as Bree, 7, crafted a mermaid and Ace, 4, sculpted the head of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Krissy Garland, mother of the three kids, said she has taken them to see the Sandman for years and they love it.

Johnson said teaching and helping the kids while the rest of the family relaxes on the beach is the best part of his work.

He said his sand journey began when he overheard someone on the beach giving advice to a kid on how to create a dragon out of sand.

He said he thought to himself, “She is only 5 years old,” and decided to try.

After his experiment was complete, a stranger passed by and complimented his work.

Since then, he’s been hooked.

A 25-foot dragon simply wasn’t enough to fulfill the creative drive of the Sandman. He needed to complete the elements of his fictitious, sandy kingdom, which included a lance, a sword, a dagger and a helmet.

Avery Labaire, 11, Crew Hambleton, 8, and JP Alessi, 11, worked together to create a prehistoric shark and even used darker sand for the details. 

A few years ago some of the boys won first place for their “sea witch.”

Jessica Watson, 8, decided to go with a classic castle, but not without the best security measures sand dollars can buy.

It all started with a pool and periwinkles in the center: “And then there were some castles outside guarding it with a seahorse who guards the whole entire place and then there’s a moat around that,” Jessica said.

She and her dad, Jay Watson, were on a hill right next to the beach, attempting to fly a kite in some unfavorable winds. The kite had colorful drawings, which Jessica said she did based on a butterfly.

Kat Jones, president of the Onset Bay Association, said the association has held Family Beach Day for approximately 10 years.

She said anyone can participate in the day’s events, which are free and open to the public.

“The kids get into it,” she added. “They have fun with it, and that's really what it's all about.” 

This year, Family Beach Day also had two vendors.

Lavonne Betts, owner of Love-On Vermont, is an artist who prints her work on art cards, beach towels, scented stickers and a children’s book.

She said her friends live in Onset and invited her down for the event.

Betts added, “It's beautiful to be out and see everybody having a good time.”

Sue Salvesen was at the event representing her friend Lynda Johnson’s company, Cape Cod Mermaid Hair.

Those interested were able to have strings of tinsel tied into their hair.

Salvesen said the kids love it, “but it’s not just for kids — teenagers and even some beautiful silver-haired women get it and it looks great.”

Juliana Fusco, 14, and Jaeden Grzybowski, 14, were volunteering for the event and opted for some mermaid hair.

Fusco, who adorned blue glittering streaks, and Grzybowski, who had pink tinseled hair, said they are summer residents and love doing volunteer work.