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Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – The two-day 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will bring local seafood, live music, local art and educational talks to the historic fishing village this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

New this year, Allen Garner will tell short history stories – “Cortez Tales” – on the Miller Dock. “Dock Talks” by the University of Florida IFAS Florida Sea Grant program will be held all day both days at the Fulford Fish House.

In recognition of the village’s recovery following last year’s hurricanes, the theme of this year’s festival is “Swamped but Never Sunk.”

Mindful of the continuing recovery efforts, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board asked for Cortez residents’ opinions last November about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting for residents following the hurricanes that swamped homes in the village.

All 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 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.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $5, with kids 12 and under 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. Bus and golf cart transportation to the festival entrance at 123rd Street Court West will be provided.

Off-site parking will be available at Cortez Road Baptist Church located between 99th and 100th Street and Cortez Road, with a free shuttle to the festival provided by The Monkey Bus. In previous years, MCAT bus service was available from G.T. Bray Park to the festival. Due to the construction on Cortez Road, that service will not be available this year.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

10-11 a.m. Shanty Singers

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sycamore Shade

1-2 p.m. Introduction and Fishermen’s

Fashion Show

2-4 p.m. Eric Von Band

4:30-6 p.m. Karen and Jimmy Band (KJB)

SUNDAY, FEB. 16

10:30 a.m. to noon The Music on the Porch Gang

Noon to 2 p.m. Soul-R-Coaster

2:30-4 p.m. Jason Haram

4:30-5:30 p.m. Eric Von

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Entertainment, Festivals.

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 Festival.

At a Nov. 11 meeting at Star Fish Co. with Cortez residents, the consensus of residents and Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage members was that the annual festival should be held. The two-day festival features music, arts and crafts, fresh seafood and educational activities.

Discussions centered around the impact on the community versus the uplifting effect a festival would have on a community that’s been rebuilding from damage since Hurricane Helene in September.

“There were concerns that the neighborhood might be too overwhelmed, or that it’s too close and there might not be time,” FISH member Karen Bell said. “The thoughts against so far were there’s too much going on right now.”

Some suggested possibly scaling back the festival or changing its configuration to lessen the impact on neighbors.

The two-day festival was rained out for one day in 2024 and was canceled altogether in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival is a fundraiser for maintenance of the FISH Preserve, as well as for multiple community projects.

Details about the size and configuration of the festival will be announced at the FISH board meeting scheduled on Monday, Dec. 2.

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival to celebrate 42 years

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Entertainment, Festivals.

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.

A few slots are left for those who would like to volunteer at the festival. Sign up at https://fishcortez.org/get-involved/.

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.