CORTEZ – The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) has released the entertainment schedule for the 44th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the live music begins at 10 a.m. with the Shanty Singers, followed by Doug Demming & the Jewel Tones at 11:30.
The 1 p.m. introduction and awards ceremony will be followed by the New College Singers and the Fishermen’s Fashion Show. At 2 p.m., The Co-Pilots will perform, followed by Jason Haram from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Ron Floethe will host a book screening for his parents’ Cortez-themed illustrated book, “The Fisherman and His Boat.”
On Sunday, Feb. 15, Sycamore Shade will perform from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by Soul-R-Coaster from noon to 1:30.
At 1:30, there will be a crab-eating contest, followed by the Eric Von Band from 2:30 to 4:30. From 5 to 6 p.m., MOB will perform.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Dock Talks given by members of the Florida Sea Grant organization will be held at the Fulford Fish House. “Tales of Cortez,” with Allen Garner, will be told at the Miller Dock. Photo contest entries will be on display at the A.P. Bell Fish Company.
In addition to live music and educational exhibits, the festival features seafood, arts and crafts and children’s activities. The theme of this year’s festival is “Boat to Market,” reflecting the contributions of local fishermen.
Known as a “party with a purpose,” all proceeds from the festival will go back to the community and help support the restoration and conservation of the 98-acre FISH Preserve at the east end of Cortez village.
The festival will be held both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant and the A.P. Bell Fish Company, between 123rd and 124th Street W. in Cortez. Admission is $5 and kids under 12 get in free.
FESTIVAL SIGNS
A team of volunteers gathered at the old Cortez firehouse on Saturday, Feb. 7, to paint the signs to be placed around the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The signs, some whimsical, some inspirational and some featuring the festival theme, “Boat to Market,” are a tradition at the festival that this year will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15.
Steve Huber painted a sign showcasing the festival theme of “Boat to Market.” – Leslie Lake | SunCathy Smith painted a sign with this year’s festival theme, “Boat to Market.” – Leslie Lake | SunMerry Retus painted a sign that says, “Cortez was founded on mullet.” – Leslie Lake | SunThis inspirational sign will be on display at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Leslie Lake | SunThis inspirational sign will be on display at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Leslie Lake | Sun
CORTEZ – The 44th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15.
The annual festival is a celebration of the cultural history of Cortez – one of the last true working fishing villages in Florida.
“The village of Cortez and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) welcome the public back to the shores of Sarasota Bay for the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival,” said the press release issued by FISH media contact Angela Collins.
Known as a “party with a purpose,” the proceeds from the festival will go back to the community and help support the restoration and conservation of the FISH Preserve. The preserve is located on 98 acres of coastal habitat on the east end of Cortez village and is the last large stretch of undeveloped land on Sarasota Bay.
This year’s theme, “Boat to Market,” recognizes the Cortez fishermen who bring fresh seafood from their boats to local markets.
“FISH invites you to come out to celebrate a real working waterfront community dedicated to preserving their fishing way of life. Soak in the sunshine along Sarasota Bay while you boogie to live local music, browse aisles of original local artwork and nautical crafts, sip cold beverages and sample some tasty seafood,” Collins wrote.
The festival will feature the “Dock Talks” educational talks given by members of the University of Florida’s Florida Sea Grant program.
“Working waterfronts are critical to Florida’s seafood economy and convey a sense of tradition and purpose that is hard to compare. Development, population growth and shifting priorities have contributed to the decline and disappearance of many fishing villages, but Cortez has survived the changing tides and remains a true vestige of old Florida,” Collins wrote.
“The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was organized to share the importance of local seafood production with the public. Cortez was settled in the 1800s by families lured by the bountiful marine resources in our region and many of those original families’ namesake still live in the village today,” Collins wrote. “If you are eating wild-caught Florida seafood, there is a very strong chance that it crossed the docks of Cortez.”
The festival will be held both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of Starfish Company and the A.P. Bell Fish Company, between 123rd Street W. and 124th Street W. in Cortez. Admission is $5 and free for kids under 12.
CORTEZ – Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board members are planning the 2026 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival and are seeking vendors and volunteers.
The festival planning committee met on Nov. 3 to discuss details for the Feb. 14-15, 2026 festival, which annually attracts thousands of visitors to the historic fishing village and features food, live music, local art and educational talks.
This theme for the 2026 festival is “Boat To Market.”
All the proceeds from the volunteer-run festival will benefit FISH and its mission to preserve the village of Cortez and continue the conservation of the 98-acre FISH Preserve to the east of the village.
The festival will be on 46th Avenue at the end of 123rd Street in front of A.P. Bell Fish Co. and Star Fish Co.
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 that final financial numbers are still being tallied. Attendance figures for this year’s festival were only slightly less than 2023.
“Attendance was down a little, but earnings are looking good,” she said. “Not as good as 2023, and remember, in 2024, Sunday was a washout, but really quite good.”
This year’s celebration of local commercial fishing heritage was the festival that almost wasn’t, due to the back-to-back hurricanes that impacted Cortez in 2024.
In November, the FISH board reached out to Cortez residents to see how the community felt about holding the street festival in 2025. It was agreed by most that the festival would have a much-needed uplifting effect.
The two-day festival, themed “Swamped but Never Sunk,” was centered around Star Fish Co. and featured live music, arts and craft vendors, educational activities and local seafood.
Festival proceeds go toward maintenance of the 98-acre FISH Preserve, as well as community projects.
CORTEZ – For the first time in the five months since a hurricane swamped the area, people were once again smiling and enjoying the camaraderie of their friends and neighbors at the 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
“I’m so proud of Cortez right now,” Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) vice-president Paul Dryfoos said on Saturday afternoon. “After all that everybody has been through and to pull off a festival like this and make it successful is so great.”
Fried grouper sandwiches were on the menu at one of the food tents. – Leslie Lake | Sun
This year’s theme, “Swamped but Never Sunk,” was an appropriate nod to the resilience of Cortez.
On the same streets where, in September, Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooded many homes throughout the village, thousands of visitors gathered on the first day of the weekend festival on Feb. 15 to enjoy live music, local seafood, crafts, educational displays and kids’ activities. The festival continued on Sunday.
Sycamore Shade performed on Saturday at the 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“There’s been a steady stream of people today,” Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said.
Unsure that there would be a 2025 festival due to the hurricane damage, in November the FISH board held a meeting asking for Cortez residents’ opinions about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting.
100% of the proceeds from the volunteer-run festival will benefit FISH and its mission to preserve the village of Cortez and continue the conservation of the 98-acre FISH Preserve.
Stone crabs and oysters were on the menu at one food stand. – Leslie Lake | Sun
On Saturday, von Hahmann introduced Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown.
She thanked Brown for arranging to have the 2025 Bradenton Area River Regatta rescheduled to Feb. 22 to avoid its conflicting with the festival.
Dr. Angela Collins, extension scientist for the Florida Sea Grant program at the University of Florida, presented educational Dock Talks on Saturday. - Leslie Lake | Sun
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 of Sunday festivities, Saturday was cool and rain-free, and the party was in full swing.
The Fisherman’s Fashion Show was a big hit with the festival crowd on Saturday. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
“It was really warm last year, but this is fantastic,” Janelle Applegate said. “We love this little fishing town, and come down for this every year from Clearwater. Cortez is as real as it gets. I can’t imagine there are too many places like this left in Florida; these people are real. They work hard, there can’t be anything easy about this way of life, but it seems like they wouldn’t have it any other way.”
For only $5, visitors had acres of the historic Cortez fishing village to roam and find plenty to excite all five senses. There was just about any kind of seafood and beverage to satisfy taste, arts and crafts for the eyes, smells of everything from crab traps to funnel cakes, the chance to touch live sea creatures in the “Dock Talks” area and the sounds of live music on the main stage that had the large crowd on their feet.
there was no shortage of seafood at this year’s Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Awards were given at this year’s festival to people who have made an impact on the Cortez fishing community. The Pioneer of the Year Award was presented to Kaye Bell, and the First Annual John Stevely Memorial Award was given to Linda Molto as the person who best represents the values of FISH. The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Bob Hooper, and a special FISH Community Service Award was given to the Cortez Trailer Park in honor of their support for all of FISH’s endeavors and the large number of residents who volunteer for this event each year. Finally, Cortez fisherman Tommy Killoran was crowned the winner of the popular Fisherman’s Fashion Show which was judged by crowd applause on the main stage.
The huge festival is put together by a small group of people made up of members of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and some local residents who volunteer their time throughout the year to plan and execute the event. To handle the task of doing all the work, they rely heavily on volunteers who donate their time to do everything from selling tickets to working parking lots and picking up trash.
The Eric Von Band had the crowd on their feet on Saturday. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Proceeds from the Festival will be used to maintain and make improvements to the FISH Preserve, 98 acres of environmentally sensitive land immediately east of Cortez. The festival has been dubbed “a party with a purpose,” since the money will assure future generations will be able to not only fish but also educate others about the importance of commercial fishing and its importance to the coastal Florida way of life for so many that rely on these natural resources to both survive and thrive.
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 people are expected to come to the fishing village this year the weekend of Feb. 17-18 to enjoy live music, food, arts and crafts vendors and a celebration of commercial fishing.
This year’s theme, “Cortez Commercial Fishing, It’s A Way of Life,” reflects the importance of commercial fishing to the history and future of Cortez.
“FISH exists to support the commercial fishing industry in Cortez and throughout Florida. During the early years of the festival, the majority of the seafood we served was from the Cortez commercial fishing industry and we desire to return to our roots,” Carol Kio-Green instructed potential food vendors last year on the FISH website. “We are asking all vendors who serve seafood to indicate the source on their menu and make an effort to serve commercially wild-caught seafood from Florida. Our goal is that 25% of all seafood served at the festival will be from the Florida commercial industry.”
Proceeds from the festival are used to fund the FISH Preserve – 98 acres of undeveloped habitat bordering Sarasota Bay along the east side of the historic Cortez fishing village.
“Habitat restoration throughout the preserve is creating coastal habitat for the public to enjoy, complete with trails and educational signage,” according to the FISH website. “Grant money assists our efforts, but our most important partners are our members, neighbors, participants and volunteers. FISH has also purchased significant historic buildings within the village for preservation and community use.”
The festival is planned and run solely by volunteers, who incorporate an educational component into the festival.
The University of Florida and Florida Sea Grant have partnered with this event to present “Dock Talks” each day at the Fulford Fish House, to educate the public on local marine life and commercial fisheries. A touch tank in the Kids Zone gives children a close-up view of local marine life.
The festival also will feature arts and crafts and a photo contest gallery show at the A.P. Bell Fish Co. fish house.
The festival will be held on 46th Avenue West at the end of 123rd Street West in Cortez.
Admission is $5, with kids under 12 free.
The Boy Scouts, in partnership with FISH, will offer on-site parking at the FISH Preserve, one block east of the village off Cortez Road, for a $5 donation. Golf cart transportation to the festival entrance at 123rd Street Court West will be provided.
Free MCAT bus service between Coquina Beach and G.T. Bray Park on 59th Street West in Bradenton to and from the festival will be available.
Off-site parking will be available at Cortez Road Baptist Church (between 99th and 100th Streets on Cortez Road) with free shuttles to and from the festival provided by The Monkey Bus.
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 the festival paints 60 cardboard trash vats, and students from Bayshore High School’s Key Club and art students from Manatee High School were more than willing to jump in and lend a hand.
Visitors to the festival may notice the colorful trash boxes throughout the festival grounds, and thanks to the leadership of Kris Martinez, who not only works on the festival committee but heads up this project every year, this year will as eye-catching as ever. Thirty of the trash vats were sent to Manatee High School to be painted by art students, and 30 were painted at the fire station in Cortez on Feb. 5. The Key Club promotes leadership by serving others, and the hard work dedicated to getting this job done certainly qualifies.
The trash vats won’t be the only works of art at this year’s festival. There’ll be arts and crafts, great food, drinks, live music, educational activities and much more. Admission is $5 and no advance tickets are necessary. Enter at the Florida Maritime Museum located at 4415 119th St. W.
CORTEZ – After more than a year of planning, the village of Cortez is ready to host the 40th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to raise money for the FISH Preserve. This two-day event, taking place this Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20, will feature live music, arts and crafts, lots of food, drinks, prize giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to learn about Florida’s commercial fishing industry that supports the Cortez community. After being canceled last year due to COVID-19, festival planners have put in hard work to make the return of Cortez’s largest annual event bigger and better than ever.
One of the founders of the festival, John Stevely, calls the festival “the party with a purpose.” It’s a fitting description since the money from this two-day festival funds the expansion and preservation of the more than 100 acres that make up the FISH Preserve in Cortez.
“There is major restoration work currently underway at the festival and progress at the Preserve has been awesome,” Stevely said.
The FISH Preserve consists of more than 100 acres of environmentally sensitive land immediately east of Cortez. The site has long been an important fisheries habitat for the section of Sarasota Bay south of Cortez, often referred to as “the kitchen.” Over time, the seafood caught in this area has allowed local families to make a living and keep food on the table through the best and worst of economic climates. The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) is continuing to make improvements to the property so current and future generations can research, monitor and continue to learn about the fishing industry and coastal environment in Florida.
Those planning to attend this year’s festival will not only have a great time suitable for the whole family but will also know money spent is going to work for this worthy cause. With an average attendance of more than 20,000 people, this is a party not to be missed.
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival entrance is at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W. Admission is $5, and parking is available with a $5 donation to local Boy Scouts.
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 to the small fishing village. Forty years later, an average of 20,000 people come to enjoy live music, food, drinks, arts and crafts and a celebration of the history and future of commercial fishing and its impact on the community.
The fishing village of Cortez is sometimes overlooked as visitors to the area drive by not knowing its history and the way of life enjoyed by the residents of this small community on Sarasota Bay. For this reason, the festival is more than just an excuse to have a party, it’s also meant to educate those who attend about just how important commercial fishing is to life in Florida. The University of Florida and Florida Sea Grant have partnered with this event for 40 years to put on “Dock Talks” that educate the public on local marine life and the value of commercial fisheries.
This year’s theme is “gearing up,” a term fishermen use in reference to getting their equipment ready to head out to sea. It’s also a fitting term since the festival was canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19. This event is organized by volunteers with the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH), who are thrilled to see the return of this much-anticipated event and have been gearing up themselves, with monthly planning meetings to make sure every detail, large or small, is addressed.
If the best food in Florida, cold drinks, original artwork and live music aren’t reason enough to attend the 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, just grab a raffle ticket and you could go home with one of the beautiful, refurbished custom boats restored by the FISH Boatworks. Admission is only $5 for adults, while kids under 12 are free. The entrance to the festival is at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., with plenty of parking for a small donation of $5 to the local Boy Scouts.
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 is scheduled in the village on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20.
The last Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. – Cindy Lane | Sun
“We still need 25 to 30 more volunteers,” said FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann. “If you’d like to volunteer, we need help with gate entry, tickets and maybe T-shirt sales.”
The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board held a special meeting last week to go over some last-minute issues for the popular festival, which draws thousands of visitors annually to the small fishing village.
Details ironed out in the meeting include parking issues, placing of signage and dealing with an increase in cost for just about everything. The same supply chain issues that are driving up prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump are also having an effect on events such as this. Even though costs have risen, the price for this year’s festival will remain at $5, after having been increased from $4 three years ago. The festival is asking for a $5 donation to the local Boy Scouts for parking.
Oysters were on the menu at the 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in 2020. – Cindy Lane | Sun
From left, FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann and President Kim McVey discuss the upcoming Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival with the board. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is held to celebrate the heritage of commercial fishing in Cortez, Florida’s oldest fishing village. This year’s theme is “Gearing Up,” a reference made by fishermen when getting their gear ready to go out on the water. Plenty of live music, great food, wine and beer, arts and crafts and education will be on hand for the 40th edition of the festival. There was no festival last year due to COVID-19.
If you would like to volunteer, please email Angela Collins or call 941-301-4000.
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 of the popular festival, the theme is “Gearing Up,” a term fishermen use for getting their gear ready before they hit the water.
Musical acts
Saturday, Feb. 19
10-11 a.m. Shanty Singers
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Karen & Jimmy Band
1-1:30 p.m. Awards and Introductions
2-4 p.m. Eric Von Band
4:30-6 p.m. Soul-R-Coaster
Sunday, Feb. 20
10:30 a.m.-noon Soupy Davis & The Band
12:30-2 p.m. Manatee River Blue Grass
1-5 p.m. Eric Von on the Porch (Bratton Store porch)
2:30-4 p.m. KoKo Ray Show
4:30-6 p.m. Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones
If you love fishing boats, gear, seafood and the fishing lifestyle, this event is for you. If you know nothing about commercial fishing, can’t bait a hook or wouldn’t know a crab trap if you were stuck in one, this event is also for you. FISH hopes everyone who attends will not only enjoy the great live music, delicious food, cold drinks and activities for all ages, but also leave having learned about life in Cortez, commercial fishing and its impact on Florida.
During the board’s Jan. 3 meeting, the main topic of discussion was an increase in cost for just about everything associated with the event, which is a strain on the festival’s budget. The festival is FISH’s main revenue source, and it was canceled last year due to the pandemic, which makes this year’s budget tighter to begin with. The board also expressed a need for volunteers.
Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. The festival entrance is in the historic Cortez village at 4415 119th St. W. Find more information at the FISH website.
CORTEZ – The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board decided unanimously tonight to cancel the 39th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival next February due to COVID-19.
The two-day festival, a fundraiser for FISH and its primary project, the FISH Preserve, draws thousands of people each year to the snug north end of the historic fishing village of Cortez.
“Due to the uncertainties, we feel we have to be responsible, however, we’re going to work on a possible scaled-down alternative,” said John Stevely, one of the founders of the festival.
John Stevely, one of the festival’s original organizers, was among those deciding to cancel the 2021 fishing festival Monday night. – Cindy Lane | Sun
The entrance to the festival is at the Florida Maritime Museum on 119th Street, which leads to a fish house and restaurant complex on Sarasota Bay with one main route in and out.
Once inside, people line up to sample seafood from dozens of food vendors, a challenge for social distancing, as is the possibility of monitoring whether only family groups are sitting together to eat at tables for eight to 10 people. In addition, “There are so many who would refuse to wear a mask outdoors,” Stevely said.
Other considerations were whether FISH could obtain a permit for the event, the health risk to 200 or so volunteers in their 60s, and whether the event could turn a profit if the number of participants was limited. The FISH board has historically been reluctant to raise the original $2 entrance fee, which, after 38 years, is now $5.
“We’ll come back with enthusiasm and we will get through these times,” Stevely said. “2022 will be bigger and better.”
Seafood is the main event at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. – Cindy Lane | Sun
CORTEZ – The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was filled with fun last weekend, from live music to pony rides to seafood any way you like it.
Warm, sunny weather attracted a large crowd that packed dining tables like sardines, enjoying shellfish, shrimp, mullet, oysters and other seafood, as well as Greek gyros, Southern barbecue, Polish sausage and other landlubber fare.
This year’s arts and crafts show suggested a trend toward environmentally-friendly jewelry and wall art, especially pieces made from parts of palm trees, including trunks (sailboat wall art), seeds (bracelets) and fronds (coconut fish tails).
And a new feature debuted – NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, an interactive display featuring recorded interviews with Cortez fishermen talking about a way of life that’s fading from the Florida landscape.
Wanda Jones Fulford, the widow of Blue Fulford, one of the fishermen featured in the recordings, was honored with the Pioneer Award. The Cortez native attended grade school in what is now the Florida Maritime Museum on 119th Street West at the east end of the historic fishing village. She worked at Tropicana Products sorting citrus fruit, said Jane von Hahmann, one of the organizers of the festival, which is sponsored by FISH, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.
Wanda made smoked mullet spread famous decades ago, von Hahmann said, congratulating her for a “simple life well lived.”
“I sure am enjoying this today,” Fulford said to applause, adding that she doesn’t get out much at her age. “I enjoy all you people out here.”
Von Hahmann presented the FISH Community Service award to volunteer John MacDonald, another Cortez native, who said he helps out in the village because it’s important to record history.
Once it’s gone, “We can’t get it back,” von Hahmann said.
The Business Community Service Award went to Karen Bell of Star Fish Co., which provides food for several Cortez events, including the annual Cortez Natives Picnic, which is open to the public, von Hahmann said.
Bayshore High School student Matthew Kurutz and Boy Scout Troop 76 were recognized for their work building foot bridges in the FISH Preserve, which is funded by festival proceeds.
Once it’s gone, “We can’t get it back,” von Hahmann said.
Von Hahmann presented the FISH Community Service award to volunteer John MacDonald, another Cortez native, who said he helps out in the village because it’s important to record history.
The Business Community Service Award went to Karen Bell of Star Fish Co., which provides food for several Cortez events, including the annual Cortez Natives Picnic, which is open to the public, von Hahmann said.
Bayshore High School student Matthew Kurutz and Boy Scout Troop 76 were recognized for their work building footbridges in the FISH Preserve, which is funded by festival proceeds.
The Cortez Shanty Singers kick off the festival with harmony and humor. - Cindy Lane | Sun
The food court at the festival features seafood, lamb, Polish sausage and a variety of other meals. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Viewers get a close look at marine life at a touch tank at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun
White pelicans, true snowbirds from Canada, flock to the festival in Sarasota Bay off Cortez. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Angela Collins of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in Palmetto identifies stone crabs, blue crabs and other species for festival-goers. - Cindy Lane | Sun
The festival features shrimp, clams and other fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways. - Cindy Lane | Sun
NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, part of the federal agency’s Vanishing Culture Project, is an interactive display featuring recorded interviews with Cortez fishermen talking about a way of life fading from the Florida landscape. - Cindy Lane | Sun
A screech owl is one of the rescued animals on display at the festival from Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach. - Cindy Lane | Sun
A kids’ activity zone includes a chance to ‘fly’ into the sky. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Face painting, pony rides and a bounce house are among the activities for kids at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Karan Newman of Coconut Fish displays one of her fish friends at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun
A handmade wooden kayak is being raffled off at the festival. The boat was donated in an unfinished condition in 2010 and finished by the volunteers at the FISH Boatworks, particularly Joe Egolf, Bill Curto and Charlie Bailey. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Festival-goers flock to the Cortez Village Historical Society strawberry shortcake booth for a homemade treat. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Jessica Ann Hessing of JA Art paints a fish at the festival on Saturday. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Bracelets made of dyed palm tree nuts are among the new offerings at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Mike and Judy Farley of Dry Dock Art feature their sailboats made from parts of palm trees in the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Ray Holmes and Kathy Cocciolone of 2 Fish 2 Fun display hand-painted fish at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun
FISH volunteer John MacDonald won the Community Service award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, presented by one of the festival organizers, Jane von Hahmann. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Wanda Jones Fulford received the Pioneer of the Year award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). - Cindy Lane | Sun
Doug Deming and Jewel Tones are among the bands performing at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Oysters are on the menu at the 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun
CORTEZ – Besides enjoying fresh seafood, live music and everything else that the 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will offer this weekend, you could win a handmade kayak.
The kayak, paddle and two wooden oars were donated in an unfinished condition in 2010, but the volunteers at the FISH Boatworks, particularly Joe Egolf, Bill Curto and Charlie Bailey, finished the watercraft and presented it to the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) to raise money at the festival, the weekend of Feb. 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along 119th Street West in Cortez.
If you go
Who: Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH)
What: The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
When: The weekend of Feb. 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days
Where: Enter at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez or the FISH Preserve one block east on Cortez Road
Why: Support the FISH Preserve
Cost: $5 for adults, kids 12 and under free
Raffle tickets, available at the festival, are $5 each or 5 for $20. The drawing will be held Sunday, Feb. 16 between 4 -5 p.m. The winner need not be present to win.
The festival is famous for serving fresh seafood in one of Florida’s last working commercial fishing villages. Listen to live local music, browse nautical and environmental art, and learn about the fishing industry at the Cortez Bait and Seafood docks. Kids’ activities include pony rides and a bounce house.
Road work will not impact festival
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will suspend construction activities on Cortez Road during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16. Road work on and along Cortez Road from 123rd Street West to 86th Street West and on and along 119th Street West is expected to resume Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to the FDOT RoadWatch Advisory issued last week.
This year for the first time, the festival will present NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, part of the federal agency’s Vanishing Culture Project. The interactive display will include recordings from Cortez fishermen and musicians talking about a way of life fading from the Florida landscape.
Cortez has been a fishing village for more than 1,000 years, beginning with Native Americans, Spanish fishermen who established fishing ranchos, and, in the 1880s, settlers from Carteret County, N.C.
The village survived a devastating hurricane in 1921, a severe red tide in 1947 and increasing regulations limiting commercial fishing, including a constitutional amendment to ban gill nets passed by Florida voters in 1994, which put much of Cortez out of work and severely impacts the industry to this day.
Proceeds from the $5 admission (kids 12 and under are free) go to restoring the 100-acre FISH Preserve, as they have for nearly four decades. FISH is clearing the land of invasive, non-native vegetation like Brazilian peppers and Australian pines, and is planting mangroves and other native plants, creating hiking and kayak trails and building footbridges with help from local Boy Scout troops.
Music schedule
Saturday, Feb. 15
10-11 a.m. – Shanty Singers
11:30-1 p.m. – Doug Demming
1-1:30 p.m. – Awards and introductions
2-4 p.m. – Eric Von Band
4:30-6 p.m.- Jason Haram
Sunday, Feb. 16
10:30-noon – Soupy Davis and his Band
12.30-2 p.m. – Koko Ray Show
2:30-4 p.m. – Karen and Jimmy Band
4:30-6 p.m. – Ted Stevens & the Doo Shots
1-5 p.m. – Eric Von on the Bratton store porch
Bordered by Sarasota Bay to the south, Cortez Road to the north, mobile homes to the east and the fishing village of Cortez to the west, the restored mangrove wetland habitat was once an unofficial trash dump, with old tires, large appliances and even boats that FISH has removed.
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival T-shirts. – Cindy Lane | Sun
Festivalgoers who park at the FISH Preserve parking area will get a glimpse of the habitat restoration in progress.
The Boy Scouts will offer on-site parking for $5 at the preserve, located one block east of the village off Cortez Road. A park-and-ride shuttle is available on an MCAT shuttle bus for $3 round trip from two locations, G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton (turn east off 59th Street onto 33rd Avenue Drive) or at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. The shuttles will pick up and drop off festival passengers from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Discounts are available to anyone at least 60 years old, active duty and military veterans and students with a valid ID. As always, anyone 80 years and older ride the MCAT for free.
On Saturday only, a free park-and-ride shuttle will be available from the Cortez Baptist Church, 4411 100th St. W. on Cortez Road, about 1.5 miles east of the festival.
