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Festivals

Entertainment, Events, Festivals

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival celebrates past and present 

Feb 5, 2026 – Leslie Lake
March 3, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Fishing Festival nets 10,000 attendees

Fishing Festival nets 10,000 attendees

CORTEZ – Nearly 10,000 people attended the 43rd Annual Cortez Com­mercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 15-16. Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said on Feb. 26 t…
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January 20, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
The Rock N’ The Sand proceeds will be donated to The Center’s Rock N’ Support program.

Rock N’ The Sand fundraiser will assist Island workers

ELLENTON – Several Anna Maria Island bands and musicians will participate in the Rock N’ The Sand music festival and hurricane relief fundraiser at Whiskey Joe’s in Ellenton on Saturday, Jan. 25 from…
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November 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

CORTEZ – Mindful of residents’ concerns following damage from hurricanes, FISH board members asked the Cortez community for input before scheduling the February 2025 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festiva…
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October 15, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival canceled

Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival canceled

CORTEZ – The 12th annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival is canceled this year due to the impacts of recent hurricanes. The festival was scheduled for Nov. 9 and 10. It’s a Cortez tradition…
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May 21, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Bridge Street Merchants plans monthly street festival

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants Association (BSMA) has big plans for the coming year, including monthly street parties on Bridge Street. The new monthly event, billed as “Sun Down Get…
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February 19, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Thousands flock to Cortez for FISH Festival

Thousands stream to Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

CORTEZ – There was something “fishy” going on in Cortez on Saturday as thousands of people streamed to the 42nd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Although heavy rain forced the cancellation…
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January 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

CORTEZ – The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) is gearing up for the 42nd Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The first festival in 1981 drew just 500 people, but an average of 15,000…
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November 13, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Stone Crab Festival draws crowd to Cortez

Stone Crab Festival draws crowd to Cortez

CORTEZ – The stone crab harvest season was celebrated under sunny skies at the two-day 11th Annual Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival. Held on Nov. 11-12 at the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar park…
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October 25, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Bayfest rocks Pine Avenue

Bayfest rocks Pine Avenue

ANNA MARIA – The 22nd Annual Bayfest celebration on Oct. 21 offered something for the entire family. A large portion of Pine Avenue was closed for most of the day to make room for vendors offering a…
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February 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day honors Island’s past, present

Heritage Day honors Island’s past, present

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society is hosting its annual Heritage Day celebration on Tuesday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family-friendly Heritage Day celeb…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting