Be prepared to encounter some surprises at Pier 60 Pavilion's first FantaSea of Lights. It'll brighten up the night through Jan. 2.
By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published December 19, 2003
CLEARWATER - Beware.
There are two six-foot killer sharks stalking Clearwater Beach.
They appear around sundown, big ones with jagged teeth and beady eyes.
But don't worry. They will not bite.
They are literally fish out of water, land sharks if you will (those of you who remember the classic Saturday Night Live skit will know the term).
The illuminated sculptures, which are turned on in the late afternoon, are part of the first-ever FantaSea of Lights holiday event going on daily through Jan. 2 at the Pier 60 Pavilion.
"This helps build the Christmas spirit," said Angie Sheridan, director of public relations.
In addition to Pier 60's regular performers, which include a talented canine stunt troupe, break dancers, magicians, street illusionists and fire eaters, organizers have arranged for carolers, Christmas shows and 10 lighted sculptures during the holiday season.
And snow.
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, workers will dump 10 tons of the wet stuff in the "Snow Zone" near the playground.
For four hours, children will be free to ride boogie boards down a makeshift hill made of hay bales. For five minutes at a time, they can make castles and snow angels.
While some people up north may pay someone to remove the piles of flakes, Clearwater and its sponsors, Adam's Mark Clearwater Beach Resort, First National Bank and Britt's Laguna Grill, have shelled out $3,000 to have it created and delivered.
That's Florida for you.
And the younger natives love it.
Sheridan said her children Jessica, 7, and Jacob, 4, really enjoyed the first "Snow Play Day," Nov. 29. They had never seen snow.
"They played in it for hours," she said. "They made snowballs and had a lot of snowball fights."
"They loved it," she said.
Within about nine hours (assuming the temperature is about 65 degrees), it will all melt away.
But the festival will continue Saturday and Sunday with performances by local acts.
Two hours before sunset today, Island Boys will play Caribbean music; from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feedback will entertain; from from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, holiday carolers will sing classics.
From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Bluefire will play; at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, enjoy the Mrs. Claus Holiday Show; at 7 p.m. Sunday, the Clearwater Community Chorus will sing; and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday the Sensation Quartet Carolers will harmonize.
"There is definitely a lot to see," Sheridan said.
If you like arts, crafts, holiday displays, carols and children's activities, don't miss the FantaSea of Lights two hours before and two hours after sunset at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach. There is lots of entertainment on the weekends, and all of it is free except lunch with Santa at noon Saturday at the Adam's Mark Clearwater Beach Resort. That costs $11.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 12 and younger, and $9.95 for seniors. For information, call (727) 298-5011.
