Charlie Crist names St. Pete Beach the 'Sunset Capital of Florida'

ST. PETE BEACH — Gov. Charlie Crist, in one of his last official duties, named this city the "Sunset Capital of Florida."

A gathering Saturday along the shores of Pass-a-Grille celebrated that designation.

Having St. Pete Beach named the Sunset Capital was the idea of Renee Roos, owner and publisher of Paradise News magazine. A St. Pete Beach resident for more than 23 years, Roos saw the opportunity to give St. Pete Beach international recognition by acknowledging one of the features residents and visitors love so much.

"Treasure Island was named the Sand Sculpture Capital of Florida and has parlayed that into a tourist attraction for the city," said Roos. "Our position on the planet, which provides some of the most beautiful sunsets, directly over the gulf, is really something worth celebrating daily."

Mayor Mike Finnerty, who took the idea to Crist, said that getting the new designation is one of the bright spots of his administration.

St. Pete Beach has had more than its share of challenges during Finnerty's tenure. On top of tourist concerns about the BP oil spill, last year's record cold winter, a poor economy and a spate of lawsuits have cost the city dearly.

"I really feel the recognition of St. Pete Beach as the Sunset Capital of Florida is something we can all celebrate. It costs the city nothing, and it is something we all can agree upon," said Finnerty.

"I have a letter here from Charlie Crist," the mayor shouted to the crowd of nearly 200.

"His words are, 'St. Pete Beach is an exceptional community, an outstanding place to live, and I hope that many citizens will be able to experience the majestic sunsets in St. Pete Beach, the Sunset Capital of Florida.' "

"Hopefully this will be the seed that starts St. Pete Beach back to being recognized for what we are … the most gorgeous community, white sand, awesome sunsets and wonderful people. Now that the seed has been planted with the city and state, now it needs to be planted universally," Roos said to a cheering crowd.

The celebration was sponsored by Pass-a-Grille native Cleo Robertson and promoted through her website, spb2day.com.

Robertson donated the first bell that is rung daily at sunset at the Paradise Grille. Mayor Finnerty and Roos were given the honor of ringing the bell for the first sunset of the new decade.

Amanda Trail, general manager of Paradise Grille, works just about every night at sunset and says they're always beautiful, cloudy or not. "Even if there's nobody here during the day, 15 minutes before sunset, everybody shows up and flocks to the water."

The new designation has the potential to unite the various factions that are embroiled in lawsuits over land development regulations.

"It takes a community pulling together to make their future more prosperous," Roos said. "The way I look at getting this designation, it's like a seed for this community and what we do with it is determined by the community."

She said it's an excellent marketing tool — "Who wouldn't want to have their wedding at the Sunset Capital?" — and she would like to see the city's hotels, restaurants and bars get involved in spreading the word.

"It's going to be up to city government and our businesses as to where it goes from here," she said.