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Festivals

Art, Entertainment, Festivals, Food

Springfest returning to Holmes Beach

Feb 24, 2026 – Joe Hendricks
October 21, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Crowds welcome back Bayfest

Crowds welcome back Bayfest

ANNA MARIA – Beautiful weather, classic cars, live music, a wide array of vendors and great attendance made for a successful Bayfest celebration after last year’s festival was canceled due to the dam…
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October 21, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Anna Maria Elementary celebrates Fall Festival

Anna Maria Elementary celebrates Fall Festival

The Anna Maria Elementary Fall Festival at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Oct. 18 featured a costume parade, rides, games, food and a pumpkin patch. Last year’s event was canceled due t…
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March 13, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

Heritage Day Festival will celebrate Island’s history

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Day Festival on Tuesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Heritage Day Festival is a free celebration of the hi…
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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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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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