Menagerie Of Animals Sculpted In Sand Highlight Annual Clearwater Fest

Clearwater FL

08 April, 2022

3:48 PM

Description

CLEARWATER, FL — Using more than 1,000 tons of pristine sugar sand, 14 of the world's top sand sculptors began work on their masterpieces for the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach last week. Now, thousands of visitors can view the results of their labors as the festival opens Friday and continues through April 24. It took 11 days to c0nstruct the 21,000-square-foot Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit that will be viewed by thousands of visitors during the next 17 days. Based on this year's theme, "An Animal Adventure," the sculptures include larger-than-life, fantastical bears, penguins, dragons and This year's sculptors include Benjamin Probanza, Damon Farmer, Dan Belcher, Daryl Bowles, Dmitry Klimenko, Hanneke Supply, Karen Fralich, Kirk Rademaker, Mark Mason, Martijn Rijerse, Patrick Harsch, Raymond Wirick, Sue McGrew, Yuri Nyuknatov, Damon Meri, Dean Arscott, Joohang Tan, Larry Hudson, Melinage Beauregard and Steve Schomaker. Presented by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and organized by the nonprofit Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival and the city of Clearwater, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is the largest destination event on Clearwater Beach, attracting more than 200,000 visitors. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. In addition to being able to tour the larger-than-life sand menagerie, visitors will be treated to live concerts Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, strolling performers, arts and crafts, a variety of food and drinks, a chance to kiss a gator and see other animals from the Alligator Wildlife and Discovery Center in Madeira Beach, sand-sculpting competitions and sand-sculpting classes, carnival rides, corn hole tournaments, a giant sandbox where kids can create their own masterpieces, fireworks displays at 9 p.m. each Saturday and children's activities. St. Pete/ClearwaterThere will be a fireworks show on the beach each Saturday night. Visit St. Pete/ClearwaterKids can play in the giant sandbox at the festival. Featured entertainment on the Frenchy's Rockaway Grill Stage includes: Friday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. — Bus Stop BandSaturday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. — Pirate FlagSunday, April 10, 6 p.m. — 22NFriday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. — Stereo FMSaturday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. — Soul Circus CowboysSunday, April 17, 6 p.m. — Tim CharronFriday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. — The Black HonkeysSaturday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. — TL JentgensSunday, April 24, 6 p.m. — StormbringerVisit St. Pete/ClearwaterPirate Flag will perform Saturday, April 9. Featured entertainment at the Hooters Hangout includes: Friday, April 8, 3 to 7 p.m. — Chris McCartySaturday, April 9, 4:30 to 7 p.m. — Jacob Davies Sunday, April 10, 1 to 5:30 p.m. — Jesse Ray Stout Friday, April 15, 3 to 7 p.m. — Ryan Pope Saturday, April 16, noon to 4 p.m. — Chris Flowers Saturday, April 16, 4:30 to 7 p.m. — Danny Rodriguez Sunday, April 17, 1 to 5 p.m. — Richie Hume Friday, April 22, 3 to 7 p.m. — Infinite Tilt Saturday, April 23, noon to 4 p.m. — Zack Bliss 1Saturday, April 23, 4:30 to 7 p.m. — Jacob Davies Sunday, April 24, 1 to 5:30 p.m. — Chandler Nelms Parking Parking along Clearwater Beach is limited. Festival goers are encouraged to use the free PSTA Park & Ride trolley service to get to and from Clearwater Beach. Park downtown for free any day of the week at the Old City Hall parking lot, 112 S. Osceola Ave., Clearwater, and on Saturdays and Sundays (peak festival days) at the Pinellas County Garage, 310 Court St., the450 Oak Ave. parking lot and the 311 S. Osceola Ave. parking lot. Then, hop on board the Jolley Trolley to get to and from the beach. For park-and-ride details, click here. New this year, visitors with mobility challenges can use two new motorized sand wheelchairs, available on a first-come first-serve basis. Tickets General admission tickets are $12. Children age 3 years and younger are admitted for free. And military personnel, police officers, firefighters, teachers and health care workers can purchase discounted tickets for $10 on site on Frontline Fridays. Baystar VIP lounge tickets are $70. The VIP lounge is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. The VIP lounge will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 17. VIP lounge tickets include: Fast lane entrance and ticket admission to the Sugar Sand Walk ExhibitA complimentary souvenir photoAdmission to the Baystar VIP loungeThree beer, wine or seltzer beveragesTwo soda or bottled water beveragesA charcuterieAccess to air-conditioned VIP restroomsA swag bag with an insulated cooler tote, festival theme T-shirt and souvenir towel Click here for tickets. For patrons' safety, this year's festival will be 100 percent cashless and contactless. Accepted forms of payment include all major credit cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay.