Solar eclipse watch party on Clearwater Beach brings out thousands of spectators

Allyson Henning
·2 min read

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Monday’s solar eclipse brought thousands of people out to Clearwater Beach.

The solar event coincides with one of the area’s most popular art exhibits, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival.

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“I think this is a lifetime event in our decade, and we are super proud to be able to host an eclipse watch party,” said Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival Founder Lisa Chandler. “There are over 100 sculptures inside the sand walk exhibit. It took 1,000 tons of our Clearwater Beach sand and 16 master sculptures to bring the sand to life.

To celebrate the spectacle in the sky, one of the festival’s master sculptors created a special piece. The sculpture of the sun in eclipse glasses turned plenty of heads leading up to Monday’s main event in the sky.

Photo: WFLA
Photo: WFLA

Additionally, through its partnership with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the festival handed out eclipse glasses to the first 2,500 people to arrive to the watch party Monday afternoon. The line started forming early, with everyone hoping to get their hands on a pair of glasses.

Several people we spoke with simply said “wow” catching their first view of the solar event.

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“I love it. It is incredible. I hope I live another another 20 years to see another one,” said Sarasota resident Erin Mercer.

“It is mesmerizing. To be able to share it with my kids and wife, it is awesome and enjoy spring spring break and see this in the meantime, is great,” said Richard Viettro who is visiting from New Jersey.

Though the solar eclipse is now over, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival doesn’t wrap up for another week. Visitors can come out seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. up until Sunday, April 14.

Florida didn’t fall within this eclipse’s path of totality this time around, but Tampa Bay residents will have the chance to watch a total solar eclipse from home in 2045.

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