Clearwater's Duck Days and Fourth of July celebration swept multiple statewide awards, earning four SUNsational Awards between them from the Florida Festivals & Events Association at the organization's 32nd Annual Convention & Expo.

Duck Days of Clearwater, the 17-day January event that planted a 61-foot-tall inflatable rubber duck named Mama Duck on the Coachman Park waterfront, captured three honors: first place for Best New Event, first place for Overall Event Theme and Branding, and third place for Promotional Poster. Clearwater Celebrates America, the city's annual July 4 fireworks show at the park, took first place for planning and execution of its 2025 edition, recognized for overcoming logistical challenges, according to WTSP.

The wins came from a field of more than 600 entries statewide, WTSP reported, judged by a panel of industry professionals. Awards are categorized by budget level.

The awards follow Clearwater's investment in Coachman Park after its 2023 revitalization. The city spent roughly $60,000 on the Duck Days installation and programming, funded through the Downtown Development Board, vendor fees and sponsorships. The event drew nearly 500 runners to a Duck Dash 5K and landed coverage in The Wall Street Journal's print edition during its January run.

Clearwater Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager Amber Brice told 83 Degrees Media in January that she had pursued the Mama Duck installation since her first days on the job. "I said, 'I'm going to get this thing here eventually.' And here she is three years later," Brice said at the time.

Mayor Bruce Rector noted on LinkedIn in June that the revitalized park had marked three years since its ribbon-cutting and the first concert at The BayCare Sound, calling it “the best outdoor music venue in Tampa Bay.”

FFEA CEO Suzanne Neve said in a statement that the awards celebrate organizations "that continue to raise the bar, creating experiences that bring communities together."

Other Florida cities recognized at the same convention included Delray Beach, Madeira Beach and the Village of Palm Springs, which collected 15 awards.

The city's next major Coachman Park production is the Illuminations Lantern Festival, scheduled for Dec. 6.