The Sunsets at Pier 60 Society was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1994 and officially began on March 17, 1995. The festival originally ran from Thursday evening through Monday evening until June of 1998 when it expanded to seven nights a week. In 2005 the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing locals and visitors with Clearwater Beach's only free form of family entertainment. As a result of its growth and continued success, Sunsets at Pier 60 now operates 365 days per a year weather permitting. The Sunsets at Pier 60 Society in partnership with the City of Clearwater.

• To promote Clearwater Beach and Pinellas County as a prime tourist destination.
• To support the beach tourism market by encouraging longer stays and more frequent visits to our area.
• To provide free quality family friendly entertainment on Clearwater Beach.
• To encourage the use of public land for artistic and cultural purposes which benefit the community as a whole by enriching the cultural experience of our visitors and local residents
• To promote government and public awareness and appreciation of the importance of artistic and cultural activities to Pinellas County.
• To support the local artisans and crafters community by providing them a full-time venture to display their unique form of expression.
• To increase the knowledge, the beauty, and the style of artwork indicative to Florida.