White Boot Ready: The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

It is 2020 and Cortez is Holding Steady…

This Working Waterfront has always been White Boot Ready.

A decade after his introduction, this boat-ready pelican is excited to serve another term as the 2020 mascot for the 38th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

The people of Cortez were fishing long before there were white boots. Settled in the 1800s by families lured by the bountiful marine resources in our region, Cortezians have never stopped fishing…so perhaps white boots were invented with Cortez in mind. This fishing village is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the last true working waterfronts in the state of Florida.

Pull on your white boots and come on out to celebrate all things fishy during the Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on February 15 & 16, 2020.

This is a party with a purpose.

The persistence and determination of Cortezians is evident in this annual Festival, which has been going for 38 years strong. The event is organized entirely by a fleet of dedicated volunteers. Every penny that the Festival earns is put right back into the community and supports the FISH Preserve. This 95+ acre parcel of coastal habitat borders the east end of Cortez Village and is the last stretch of undeveloped waterfront property left on North Sarasota Bay.

Get a taste of the REAL Florida.

Come on out February 15 & 16 to celebrate a real working waterfront community dedicated to preserving their fishing way of life. Burn up the soles of your white boots while you boogie to live local music, peruse aisles of original artwork and nautical crafts, sip fun 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. Bid on one of the beautiful, refurbished custom boats lovingly restored by the F.I.S.H Boatworks. Visit the touch tanks and feed your science side during “Dock Talks,” educational spiels put on by Florida Sea Grant (the touch tanks and the Dock Talks are located on the loading docks at Killer Bait, right next to a portion of the local fishing fleet.)

2020 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Details:

This party with a purpose has something for everyone. Admission is only $5 and kids under 12 are free.

When: February 15th& 16th, 10am-6pm
Where: 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, FL 34215.
Admission $5.00, kids under 12 free.
More Info: White Boot Ready: 2020 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival or cortez-fish.org