CORTEZ – The stone crab harvest is being celebrated in a big way at an annual festival in the historic fishing village.
The 11th Annual Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival will be held at the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar parking lot the weekend of Nov. 11- 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring music, local seafood, crafts and of course, lots of stone crab.
“The festival celebrates the heritage of Cortez and the kickoff to stone crab season,” Swordfish Grill General Manager Adam Sears said.
The festival was the brainchild of John Banyas, a fourth-generation fisherman from Cortez and owner of Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, Cortez Bait and Seafood Inc. and N.E. Taylor Boatworks, named for his grandfather.
Sears said the festival attracts upwards of 5,000 attendees and more than 2,000 pounds of stone crab is sold.
This year’s theme is “Crack a Cold One,” since stone crab is best served cracked and cold.
Stone crab season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1. Stone crabs are harvested for their claws and then returned to the water, where the claws will regenerate.
In addition to stone crab, many other local seafood favorites will be available. The festival also will feature a Kid Zone with face painting and other kid-friendly activities. Vendors from throughout Florida will be selling arts and crafts, including marine and beach-inspired art. Live music is scheduled both days on two stages.
The festival has a charitable component. All proceeds from draft beer sales will benefit the non-profit Bradenton-base Blessing Bags Project, dedicated to providing basic critical needs to the homeless and less fortunate.
“Big Storm Brewery is graciously donating the beer trailer,” Sears said.
The festival will be held rain or shine at 4628 119th St. W., Cortez., and a large, covered seating area will be available. Festival admission is $5, with kids under 12 free.
Parking is available at the FISH Preserve, next to the festival, at a cost of $5 per vehicle. Parking proceeds will benefit the non-profit Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH).
SATURDAY’S MUSIC
Festival main stage
10 a.m. – Mikey Silbaugh of Concrete Edgar
Noon – Mushroom Soup
2 p.m. – Uncle John’s Band
4 p.m. – Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones
Swordfish Grill Tiki Deck stage
11 a.m. – Ted Stevens
3 p.m. – Stockton Brothers
7 p.m. – Tim Chandler
SUNDAY’S MUSIC
Festival main stage
10 a.m. – Ted Stevens and the Doo Shots
Noon – Berry Oakley and Friends
2 p.m. – Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio
4 p.m. – Trevor Bystrom’s RX featuring Zion Albert
Swordfish Grill Tiki Deck stage
11 a.m. – Taylor Opie
3 p.m. – Billy Rice Trio
6 p.m. – Steel Vibes
