Who's Going to the 'Toast the Pier Party'?

With The St. Petersburg Pier scheduled to close at the end of May, it's time to – well – party like there's no tomorrow.

The Raise a Toast to the Pier Party is welcoming old friends and new for a sunset toast to The Pier on May 18th, along with a Pier cocktail contest and challenge to create the Ultimate Pier Cocktail. VIP ticket holders receive a commemorative Pier cocktail glass, too. (Read below for details!)

But that's not all. Activities on Saturday, May 18th, will start at noon with live music, an art show, and interactive events for the kids.

At 6 p.m., Cha Cha Coconuts Tropical Bar & Grill, Fresco's Waterfront Bistro, and Jonny Reno's Waterfront Restaurant & Watering Hole will battle it out in the Ultimate Pier Cocktail competition.

Will the Ultimate Pier Cocktail be a multi-colored tropical drink or a 1970s-style martini? Celebrity judges include radio and television personality Nancy Alexander, St. Petersburg Tribune editor Jeff Scullins and celebrity chef Jeffrey Jew.

There also will be a people's vote and a winner delcared.

Come and vote for your favorite drink and raise a toast to The Pier before it closes. Here's more information on buying tickets to the event.

General admission is free, with family activities starting at noon. The cocktail competition starts at 5:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $10 each or two for $19.73 – that's when the current Pier opened!

(Psst! Don't tell anyone we let you know but Living Social is offering a discount on tickets, if you hurry!)

VIP Ticket Holders will receive:

• Commemorative Pier Martini plastic glass
• Three cocktail tastings (one from each of the participating bartenders)
• Voting Ticket for People’s Choice
• Limited Edition Poster of The Pier
• Mini- Pier cupcake!

Questions? Email us at events@localshops1.com for more information.