Celebrate local coastal heritage during the 40th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on February 19 and 20 in the historic fishing village of Cortez. Every February for the past four decades, people have gathered in one of Florida’s last true fishing villages to celebrate the cultural history of the region and honor the men and women who supply us with fresh local seafood. Due to COVID, the 2021 Festival was cancelled, but the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.) and the village of Cortez are thrilled to report they are GEARING UP to welcome the public back to the shores of Sarasota Bay for the 40th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on February 19 & 20, 2022. Come on out to celebrate a real working waterfront community dedicated to preserving their fishing way of life. 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 our commercial fisheries. After you feed your appetite for science, soak in the sunshine along Sarasota Bay while you boogie to live local music, peruse aisles of original artwork and nautical crafts, sip cold beverages and sample some really tasty seafood. Check out the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center, which are steeped in history of the region. Buy a raffle ticket to be entered to win one of the beautiful, refurbished custom boats lovingly restored by the F.I.S.H Boatworks. So, grab your sunglasses and your appetite, and come on out to celebrate on the shores of Sarasota Bay during the 40th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

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