450 Volunteers Needed For Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival April 13-22

CLEARWATER, FL -- It not only takes a lot of sand, it also takes a lot of volunteers to transform Clearwater Beach into a work of art each year.

And this year is no exception. Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater is looking for 450 volunteers to help out at the annual Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach April 13-22. The theme this year is Sea America: A Celebration of America's Treasures.

The volunteers, known as "sand ambassadors," help with staging, in the exhibit and merchandise areas, in the giant sandbox area and with the entertainment.

Those who volunteer will receive a free T-shirt, complimentary meal voucher, complimentary parking and ferry ride, and free admission to the festival the day of their shift.

Businesses can also sign up with a minimum of 10 employees for a group volunteer shift. Businesses choosing to do this will receive one day of on-site logo recognition, one social media post, free Clearwater Ferry rides, volunteer T-shirts and volunteer meals.

During the festival, 11 world-class artists will craft elaborate sand sculptures using more than 1,000 tons of Clearwater's internationally famous sugar sand. The works of art will be on display for 10 days in a 21,000-square-foot tent.

Tickets for this year's festival are now available online. Advance ticket-holders will have their own separate, "fast entrance" to the event, and will receive a $5 discount on all festival merchandise.

New this year will be the Baystar VIP Lounge where visitors will be able to enjoy the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival in style in a tented bar area with private, air-conditioned restrooms, lounge seating, light snacks during the afternoon, tasty appetizers from 6 to 8 p.m. and the best view of the concert stage. Tickets for this VIP experience are $50.

Admission to the sculpture exhibit is $10 for adults, $6 for students ages 6 to 17 years old, and $8 for those 55 and older, military personnel, police officers, firefighters and teachers (proper identification required). Children 5 and younger will be admitted free of charge with an adult purchase.

Adult and senior tickets include a complimentary souvenir photo.

For more information about the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, call (727) 871-8060 or visit the festival website.

Image via Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater