Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: Ready, Set, Build Sand Sculptures!
For 10 days, the sugar-white sands of Clearwater Beach will become the raw material for works of art – the incredible sculptures created and displayed during the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Eleven of the world’s best sand sculptors will be participating in this year’s festival, scheduled for April 13-22 and themed “Sea America, a Celebration of American Treasures.” The sculptors build and display their work under a 21,000-square-foot tent. And while you may be tempted to call their creations sandcastles, these glorious sculptures are monumental works of art, bursting with creative genius.
How the Work Is Done
Everything is crafted by hand. The sculptors use only sand and water to build their visions, packing wooden forms with the mixture to create compact, rock-hard surfaces. The artists can then carve their designs, using dentistry tools, toothpicks, and trowels to refine them.
Other Things To Do While the Artists Are Sculpting
There’s plenty to see and do during the competition, so make a week of it! Head to the beach for activities the whole family will love, including a giant sandbox, street performers, arts and crafts, speed sand-sculpting demonstrations, live music, and food vendors offering gobs of good eating. Try your hand at a sand-sculpting class to see if you’ve got the gift, then grab a blanket or low-lying beach chair and settle down for free movies on the beach at dusk. Popcorn and other refreshments will be available. Don’t forget, Pier 60 is brimming with an eclectic blend of vendors offering handmade treasures for your viewing (and buying) pleasure!
Get Access to All the Sand Action
Admission to the Sugar Sand exhibit costs $10 for adults, $6 for students aged 6 to 17 years, and $8 for those 55 and older, military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and teachers (proper identification required). Children five and younger are admitted free with adult purchase. Skip the lines by purchasing your ticket in advance, accessing the event through a special fast entry and saving $5 on all festival merchandise. Click here to purchase tickets.
Where To Stay for the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Reserve your spot at the beach for the popular Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival while there are still plenty of accommodations available! Check out our listings of condos, beach houses, and hotels in the area at Clearwater Beach vacation rentals and St. Pete Beach vacation rentals. We offer properties in a wide range of sizes and prices, so you’re sure to find something that meets your needs. Plus, many of our listings can be booked online with no service fee! 
Published on Monday, February 12, 2018