Sanding Ovations Master's Cup

07/21/2026

Have you made your November vacation plans yet? Treasure Island is the perfect destination during this season. That’s when Sanding Ovations hosts “Music is the Key" in partnership with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

Spanning genres from classic rock and country to jazz and pop, Sanding Ovations will honor the timeless songs and sounds that have influenced generations, brought vividly to life through stunning sand sculptures. Each piece will evoke a different musical era, narrating the story of music over the years.

The festival runs from November 19 to 22, with an encore weekend on November 28–29, promising to be a memorable highlight in 2026’s artistic lineup.

And the excitement continues.

The Sanding Ovations encore will uphold the “Music is the Key” theme and include a special All-American celebration. Visitors can enjoy football on large screens, participate in interactive games, and more.

For updates, sponsorship info, and additional details, visit SandingOvationsMastersCup.com.

07/02/2026

The sculpture that captured the world and led to the creation of Sanding Ovations!

DID YOU KNOW : 41 years ago today😎 Rising up from the pristine beaches of Treasure Island, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico in 1985, a series of the most spectacular sandcastles ever built entered The Guinness Book of World Records(With this Photo). Shaped by an assembled group of professionals and thousands of volunteers, the sandcastles achieved this world renowned status as the tallest and longest sand sculptures ever built. This could not have come true without a visionary with the wisdom and capabilities to market, sell and motivate an enormous team...John Reyelt, a founder of the Sandcastle Group.

Two dozen sand sculptors from around the USA and Canada, along with heavy earth moving equipment, constructed "Blue Beard's Castle" in 1985.

Blue Beard's Castle stood 37 feet tall and weighed more than 25,000 tons, on a space the size of a football field. The sandcastle stood erect for nearly two weeks. More than 350,000 visitors came to view this enormous sandcastle, and they expressed awe for its size and artistry. This accomplishment was acclaimed throughout the world. People Magazine devoted a two-page single photo of Bluebeard's Castle in its July edition. ABC's Good Morning America featured the sandcastle during its carving stage on one of its segments, with the Mayor of Treasure Island leading 1,000 volunteers in a cheer of, "Good Morning America."

06/23/2026

It’s summer so it’s hot, sunny, and full of beach daze. But honestly, we’re already daydreaming about November when Treasure Island Beach gets transformed into a creative and entertaining paradise.

Sanding Ovations, presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, returns with the theme “Music is the Key.” This year we’re turning the sand into a massive time capsule party, decades of music sculpted right there on the beach. Think epic sand art meets your favorite playlists.

Lock in your room now, grab the crew (or the whole fam), and rock out at the main event November 19-22, plus an All American encore weekend November 28-29.

All the details at SandingOvationsMastersCup.com

05/06/2026

Only a few days left to vote in the Best of St. Pete-Clearwater awards for Treasure Island Beach and Sanding Ovations. These awards benefit our community and events in many positive ways, including economic benefits and growth.

When voting:
✅ Best Beach category is under “Start voting for Stay and Play!” - Slide 1
✅ Best Festival category is under “Start voting for Best Things to Do!” - Slide 7

Link to vote: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/vote-best-of-st-pete-clearwater

05/05/2026

From classic rock to country, jazz to pop, Sanding Ovations Presents “Music is the Key,” presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, will pay tribute to the songs and sounds that have shaped generations, brought to life through captivating sand sculptures. Each masterpiece will strike a different chord, telling the story of music through the years.

This year’s festival runs November 19–22, with an encore weekend November 28–29, and promises to be a chart-topping highlight on the soundtrack of 2026.

And the hits keep coming.

The Sanding Ovations encore weekend will not only continue the “Music is the Key” theme but will also feature a special All-American celebration. Guests can enjoy football on big screens, interactive games, and more, honoring America’s 250th anniversary while bringing the energy of a jam-packed weekend to the beach.

Friday, November 27, kicks off the energy for the Sanding Ovations Encore Weekend! The Bilmar Beach Resort and Sloppy Joe’s are turning it up with a live band during the day, then switching gears to a game-watching party by the pool Friday night. Vendors will be set up and ready to browse in the Sanding Ovations area, and, of course, the sand sculptures will be standing tall and stealing the show.

Sanding Ovations is Treasure Island’s signature event and a driving force behind its reputation as one of the nation’s most beloved beach destinations. The festival features jaw-dropping sand sculptures, six days of live music, delicious food, local vendors, a vibrant kite festival, and one of the year’s most spectacular fireworks displays. It’s where laid-back beach vibes meet world-class artistry, drawing visitors and master sculptors from around the globe.

For updates, sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit SandingOvationsMastersCup.com. Be sure to follow the City of Treasure Island and Sanding Ovations on social media for the latest news.

AND, while we have your attention, please take a moment and vote in the Best of St. PEte-Clearwater Awards. VOte Sanding Ovations as Best Festival and Treasure Island Beach as Best BEach: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/vote-best-of-st-pete-clearwater

05/01/2026

Voting is still open, and we would really appreciate your vote in the Best of St. Pete-Clearwater Awards!!

👉 https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/vote-best-of-st-pete-clearwater

04/10/2026

🏆 We Need Your Vote, Treasure Island! 🏖️

We’re honored to share that Treasure Island Beach and Sanding Ovations Master’s Cup have both been nominated for the VSPC “Besties” Awards!

🌴 Vote Treasure Island Beach for Best Beach
🎨 Vote Sanding Ovations for Best Festival

From our world-famous white sand beaches to the outSANDing sculptures that transform our shoreline, this community is something special — and now it’s time to show it some love!

🗳️ Voting is OPEN NOW through 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 10
📲 You can vote once per day, per device — so come back and vote again!

👉 Cast your vote here: https://bit.ly/4tGKGK4

Every vote helps showcase why Treasure Island is one of the Gulf Coast’s top destinations for unforgettable experiences. Let’s bring home BOTH titles!

04/06/2026

IT’S BAAAACCKKK! VSPC’s Best of St Pete-Clearwater awards, and voting is now open. Treasure Island Beach and Sanding Ovations Master's Cup are both nominated. Vote for us daily! Let’s show Tampa Bay why we’re the best!

03/31/2026

Don’t miss your chance to experience the 2026 Sanding Ovations Master Cup—where world-class sand sculptors, stunning Gulf sunsets, and a more relaxed, immersive beach atmosphere come together for an unforgettable event. While others are talking about sand, we’re inviting you to plan ahead and be part of it.

Secure your stay now for November 2026 and make it a full beach getaway:
https://bit.ly/4dUiMFA

The best weekends fill up fast—Treasure Island is waiting.