Festivals
February 28, 2023
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…
October 18, 2022
Bayfest delivers the party by the pier
ANNA MARIA – In its second year since returning after a hiatus due to COVID-19, the 21st Bayfest celebration last Saturday offered something for the entire family.
A substantial portion of…
February 14, 2022
Local students add art to trash
CORTEZ – The 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, and thanks to the hard work of some local high school students, throwing away trash will be a bit more fun. Each year…
February 7, 2022
‘Gear up’ for Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
CORTEZ – The 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival the weekend of Feb. 19-20 has something for everyone, even folks who don’t know how to bait a hook.
The first festival in 1981 drew 500 people…
January 23, 2022
Volunteers needed for Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
CORTEZ – If you’ve ever wanted to be a part of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, now is your chance.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs associated with the annual celebration, which…
January 17, 2022
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival only a month away
CORTEZ – The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 19-20, and the Florida Institute For Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board is hard at work.
For this 40th year…
November 14, 2021
Cortez celebrates stone crabs
CORTEZ – It’s a feast for all the senses with the sweet smell of stone crab and other delicious food offerings, the sound of live music, vendors offering beautiful arts and crafts and the hands-on ex…
October 17, 2021
Return of Bayfest a big hit in Anna Maria
ANNA MARIA – Perfect weather set the backdrop, and from blocks away you could smell the food and hear the band laying down beats that had people literally dancing in the streets as Anna Maria saw the…
October 3, 2021
Bayfest is back
ANNA MARIA – One of the most anticipated events on the Island is back for 2021. Bayfest will take place Saturday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Pine Avenue. There will be a kick-off event at the…
August 15, 2021
Bayfest scheduled to return Oct. 15-16
ANNA MARIA – Hosted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Bayfest 2021 is scheduled to take place Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16.
Barring any COVID-19 or weather-related complicatio…













