Sand & Sun Festival to Bring Beach-Inspired Fun to Downtown Ocala

OCALA, Fla. (April 13, 2026) - The City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division will host the inaugural Sand & Sun Festival on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Citizens' Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave.

This free, family-friendly event will bring a beach-inspired experience to downtown Ocala, highlighted by a professional sand sculpture competition featuring six nationally recognized artists creating large-scale works of art. A panel of judges will award first and second place, with winners announced at 4:30 p.m., while attendees can vote for their favorite sculpture for the Fan Favorite Award.

Guests can enjoy live sand sculpting demonstrations, a hands-on sandcastle play area for children, artisan vendors, local organizations and a variety of food trucks. Live entertainment will include performances by Dance by Sheila, Fort King Middle School's Falcon Band, Legacy In Motion Dance Center and the Mary Sue Rich Community Center Line Dance Group.

The festival will also feature live music throughout the day, including the Julie Black Duo, Luis Alfredo Garcia Duo, Ocala Steel Orchestra and headliner The Caribbean Chillers, Florida's premier Jimmy Buffett tribute band.

Participating sand sculptors include:

• Amanda Bolduc: Master sand sculptor and former U.S. Army officer with national and international recognition.
• Andy Daily: Master sculptor and sand manager of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic, known for education and community programs.
• Mitch Guerrero: Florida-based sculptor known for award-winning work and innovative techniques.
• Josh Jakubowski: Emerging artist with experience in ice, snow and sand sculptures.
• Bruce Peck: Master sculptor recognized for detailed and expressive designs.
• Mark Wilson: Award-winning Florida sculptor active since 2011.

Free public parking is available throughout downtown Ocala, including the Downtown Parking Garage on SE Broadway Street.

In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be rescheduled for Saturday, May 23. Updates will be shared on Instagram at @OcalaCulturalArts.

The event is sponsored by Big Hammock, Fun4Ocala Kids, Great American Self Storage of Ocala, Ocala Gazette, Pointe Grand Apartments, Renewal by Andersen, Renuity, Sipping Grounds Midtown, T-Fiber, The Marion Mosaic and TJM Promotions.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.gov/sandandsun or contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at [email protected] or 352-629-8447.

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