It's a tiny little town, population about 4200 people, and about 11 blocks long. It's a gorgeous village with lots of history behind it. There's even a maritime museum right there at the village in the heart of the festival. The houses are small cottages with commercial boats and fishing gear in the yards. A couple blocks down is a number of fish houses where local fisherman sell their catches.
The serious fishermen who live in the village have the true workingman's spirit...They appreciate the simpler things in life. We didn't get to see much of the village today as the commercial fishing festival--"Better Fish to Fry" took over the town today and will again tomorrow. Not quite sure what the significance of the slogan is, but maybe they are trying to tell the festival goers that here is where the better fish is fried!? Not that anybody has better things to do than go to a seafood/fishing festival, right? The festival's proceeds (3.00 to get in) go to restoring and preserving wetlands and uplands just east of Cortez Village. Now THAT'S a great cause!
There was great live music today...The maritime museum is there, but we didn't visit it today....
Nautical arts and crafts.......Over 50 vendors.....Sparky LOVES crafts...and anything nautical...
Children's activities...Just loved this little girl's painted cat face!
Environmental exhibits....
A touch tank for young and old.....Talks and more exhibits down at the docks.....Ew-w-w-w--w! Octopus! A delicacy to some, but not to Sparky! They look like mummified octopi to her!
Sparky thought these stone crab claws were COOL! But she wouldn't want to eat them....
And more seafood than you can imagine...TONS of fresh seafood from local vendors and suppliers.
They even had squid fries, we kid you not!
We think there were lots more food booths than arts and crafts booths today.....(It IS a commercial fishing festival, ya know, chimes in Eldo, not really a craft show.)
Sparky wanted to sit and sample lots of food, but people were not emptying the picnic tables after they were finished so you could sit down and eat!
No idea what kind of seafood this is!
About 25,000 people are expected to attend the festival..Parking is limited and fills up early..Best way to find a parking place is to drive to Coquina Beach in Bradenton on Anna Maria Island, and hop on the city bus and for $.60 for seniors (60 and up), ride the bus back into Cortez where they drop you off right at the park. When you've eaten all the seafood you can eat, seen everything you wanted to see, hop back on the bus, and for another $.60, back to the beautiful Coquina Beach you go! Or, you can park at the G.T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton) Coquina Beach is absolutely beautiful...We're going to go back for a picnic lunch one of these days. Nice shady parking lot, a bike path to ride along the ocean...WOW!
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| Coquina Beach |
Tomorrow, severe cold hits Sarasota...We'll probably stay inside to keep warm! For the adventurous and hardy souls, the Sarasota Art Fair is tomorrow as well as the Cortez Fishing Festival, both for the second day. Would you believe a high of 58 and a low of 36? (Say it ain't so! says E.) Yep, but it won't last long...Monday, back up to 70 and a low of 52. But Sparky will LOVE the one day cold spell.....She'll probably go ride her bike some....See you later!
I saw some hungry vegans in that crowd scene! Do you have fish-like fingers?
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! We're having some strange temps here too. Was 75 yesterday, and by Tuesday 50 and rain.
ReplyDeleteIt's 39 degrees this morning! High of 59 today...But rapidly rising to 70 tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteI saw the Hog Fish sign...sounds awful.
ReplyDeleteJust love the local festivities, looks like a great time. Try and keep warm there. We had our share of cold weather, now a bit for you.
ReplyDeleteStill better than up north.
Cortez just might be our favorite spot in Florida. Wish we were there for their annual seafood festival--looks amazing. When you return, go to the Starfish Fish Company for their boxed lunch. It's amazing!
DeleteI doubt it will stay cold in Florida for very long. Must be a huge storm as it's supposed to be cold here in Palm Springs on Tuesday too.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Sparky--don't like anything with tentacles. I remember being in the Sarasota area quite a few years ago in a place where the boats went out to find sponges. (I think it might have been Tarpon Springs?), but don't remember Cortez. Sounds like a fun place.
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