Frenchy’s Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater, Florida

The turquoise blue coastline of Clearwater, Florida has much to offer its residents and visitors, but perhaps the beach’s most celebrated aspect—beyond its water, which really is clear—is its sand.  Affectionately called “sugar sand” by the locals, it’s been lovingly rolled in, sunbathed on, and walked along for ages. But recently, someone decided to build an entire festival around it, and bring in expert sand artists (yes, there really is such a thing) to transform the famous sugar sand into larger-than-life sculptures.

As part of the 60^th anniversary of Clearwater’s Fun ‘n Sun Festival—a 10-day family friendly celebration of fireworks, concerts, barbeques, and tournaments—the inaugural Frenchy’s Sugar Sand Festival (which debuted  April 19, 2013) featured 1,000 tons of the cotton candy soft sand, hand crafted into a walk-through maze of exhibits, all made out of sand.  The 10,000 square-foot waterfront tent featured jaw-dropping displays of incredible skill (overhead constantly: “how did they do that?”), kid-friendly sand sculpting clinics, and rapid speed sand demonstrations, during which the sculptors took audience members’ unusual requests and turned them into masterpieces in a matter of minutes.  A giant Camp Hyatt Sandbox just outside the tent allowed children to play in the fluffy, powdery particles and throw gigantic beach balls at each other.

Occurring during the year of Florida’s 500^th anniversary, this event was years in the making. It was the brainchild of Lisa Chandler, a fixture in the area who’d first seen such masterful sand sculpting in South Africa, and decided those same sculptors had to come to her hometown and turn its sand into works of art.  It finally became reality this year after much imagining and planning, when Frenchy’s—an institution in Clearwater with several restaurant locations and a hotel—decided to be the main sponsor.  Judging by the large amount of visitors and press attention, it was a great success, and will no doubt become an annual part of the Fun ‘n Sun Festival.

A true highlight of the festival—this year available to only a small group of VIP’s, next year to more people wishing to partake—was the in-sand dining experience.  Tables were hand carved into the beach and beautifully decorated, and local upscale restaurants, such as Hyatt’s SHOR, served extravagant, five course dinners to the in-sand diners, while local passers-by oohed and ahhed.

Of course, if you’d like to partake of the crystal clear waters, meandering mile long beach promenade, al fresco seafood joints, and mild temperatures of this idyllic gulf coast town, there’s plenty to do year-round.  Beyond attractions like the nearby Dali museum, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation, where Winter from Dolphin Tale resides), and countless boat tours, Clearwater is practically obsessed with ongoing – mostly free – events and festivals. This city, named “Florida’s Best Beach Town”, has a festival for every occasion.

Some of the hundreds include:

• Sunsets at Pier 60, a free celebration of the sunset with live music, street performers, crafts vendors, and beachfront movies (Nightly, 365 days/year)
• The Bright House 2013 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship & Seafood Festival (September 27-29, 2013)
• The Hispanic Heritage Festival (September/October)
• The Clearwater Jazz Holiday (October 17-20, 2013)

www.visitclearwaterflorida.com