Thousands attended the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival last year. STAFF PHOTOS / THOMAS BENDER
No need to worry about planning that candlelit dinner for two, the region’s most famous seafood celebration returns this Valentine’s Day weekend to the shoreline of north Sarasota Bay. The 34th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will again host an array of vendors and live music acts in the historic village where residents have been catching and exporting fresh fish for generations. On Saturday and Sunday, the Cortezians will welcome thousands of guests to their waterfront neighborhood brimming with Old Florida charm.
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Everything everyone loves about the festival remains the same this year except it has moved to the east end of the village, adjacent to the Florida Maritime Museum, allowing for expanded parking. Admission is still a mere $3 with no charge for children younger than the age of 12. All festival proceeds go to the expansion and restoration of the F.I.S.H. Preserve, the environmentally sensitive land along Sarasota Bay.
In addition to local seafood restaurants such as Blue Marlin and Walt’s Fish Market, there will be stands by the likes of J&J Bar-B-Q and Tyler's Homemade Ice Cream specializing in other exciting edibles. Bradenton-based national touring blues act Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones performs 12:30 p.m. Sunday with more local favorites playing throughout the weekend. Arts and crafts fans will find over 50 artists, each exhibiting artwork with a nautical theme.
Here's a guide to all the food stands and music acts you'll find at the festival. We've also included info on all the great Cortez restaurants and bars, which you can easily walk to from the festival grounds.
FOOD VENDORS
Amy’s Catering: deep-fried Oreos, elephant ears.
Blue Marlin: fish tacos, shrimp and grits, lobster lollipops
Calypso Kettle: kettle corn
Coastal Crab: fish tacos, crab, shrimp, mac and cheese
Cortez Historical Society: strawberry short cake
Evergreen Concessions: gumbo, smoked mullet, crawfish etouffee
Gourmet Coffee & Crepes: dessert crepes
Greek Flame Foods: gyros, Greek salad, mixed seafood, veggies
Hammerheads: seafood
J&J Bar-B-Q: ribs, burgers, dogs
Prestige Jerk Stop: pork, chicken, turkey
Larry’s Concession: baked goods Laughing
Crab Catering: crab cakes
Mr. C’s: smoked mullet
Shrimp Shack: seafood
Tyler’s Homemade Ice Cream: ice cream
Walt’s Fish Market: seafood, gator
Doug Deming / HT ARCHIVE
MUSIC SCHEDULE
Saturday
10-10:30 a.m. Shanty Singers
10:45 a.m.- 12 p.m. Manatee River Bluegrass Band 12-12:15 p.m. Awards and introductions
12:30 - 2 p.m. Eric Von and Cavalier Life Band
2:30-4 p.m. Soul-R-Coaster
4:30-6 p.m. Razing Cane
Sunday
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Soupy Davis and The Band
12:30-2 p.m. Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones
2:30-4 p.m. Jim and Karen Band
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Jason Haram
Eric Von will perform at 1 and 3 p.m. on the Bratton Store Porch of the Florida Maritime Museum and there will be “dock talks” throughout the festival with John Stevely.
PARKING
Offsite parking available at G. T Bay Park (5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton) or Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island with shuttle bus to Cortez ($3 round trip). Additional newly expanded parking is available east of the village off of Cortez Road (5 minute walk). There will also be pay and free parking in the village, west of festival grounds.
CORTEZ COMMERCIAL FISHING FESTIVAL
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Cortez Village, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez; $3 (free for children ages younger than 12); 941-254-4972; cortez-fish.org
RELATED: Cortez restaurant and bar guide
WADE TATANGELO, staff writer and author of the weekly column Bar Tab, can be reached by email or call 941-361-4955. Follow him onTwitter at @wtatangeloor Facebook.com/wade.tatangelo
