Cortez, it’s a way of life

Festivalgoers gather alongside the Cortez Fishermen’s Memorial Feb. 17 to celebrate the commercial fishing industry and the historic village of Cortez at the 42nd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The fundraising event was organized by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and went on Feb. 17 in the village. Rain prompted FISH to cancel Feb.18. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

Artist Pamela Chevalier poses beside one of her metal sculpture fountains Feb. 18 at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The festival hosted up to 40 artists whose booths lined the streets of Cortez Village Feb. 17 – 18.

Todd Kuna, visiting from Barrington, Illinois, winds up for a chance to ring the bell Feb. 17 at the strongman game during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. This year’s festival theme was, “Cortez Commercial Fishing, It’s A Way of Life.”

Cortez resident Brandon Doyle pauses with a carved pelican tiki purchased from artist Chuck Masek’s vendor booth, AKA Tikidude, at the 42nd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

4-year-old Tessa Doezema gets her face painted “like a unicorn” Feb. 17 by an artist at the “Kids Zone” during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The Kids Zone featured an assortment of kid-friendly arts and crafts booths, as well as rides and a marine life touch tank.

Michel Adams of Cortez Feb. 17 enjoys some festival seafood from the edge of the dock at AP Bell Fish Co. on 124th Street in Cortez during the 42nd annual Cortez Fishing Festival. The festival hosted more than 16 food vendors serving fresh local seafood, beverages and other food. Visitors to the festival had the opportunity to wander one of the last working waterfronts in the state.

Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones rocked center stage the afternoon of Feb. 17 during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Other live acts that performed over the two-day festival included: Shanty Singers, Eric Von Band, Music on the Porch Gang, Billy Rice Band, Karen & Jimmy Band and Jason Haram.

Michel Adams of Cortez Feb. 17 enjoys some festival seafood from the edge of the dock at AP Bell Fish Co. on 124th Street in Cortez during the 42nd annual Cortez Fishing Festival. The festival hosted more than 16 food vendors serving fresh local seafood, beverages and other food. Visitors to the festival had the opportunity to wander one of the last working waterfronts in the state.

Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage secretary and Extension Scientist for Florida Sea Grant, Angela Collins holds up a gag grouper as part of her “Dock Talks” at the Fulford Fish House in Cortez. The talks helped educate the public about local marine life and commercial fisheries. A touch tank was also set up to give people a close-up view of local marine life.

Izzy Logue, 7, takes a pony ride in the Kids Zone Feb. 17 during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The Logue’s were vacationing and visiting family from Connecticut and decided to check out the festival.

Volunteers from the Organized Fishermen of Florida group help kids craft jellyfish from paper plates and yarn at the “Minnow Zone” during the 42nd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. OFF is a fishers’ advocacy group and members pitched in this year with a kids’ activity table.

Volunteers from the Manatee School for the Arts Key Club serve strawberry shortcake with the Cortez Village Historical Society Feb. 17 during the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. One volunteer, Isabelle Mix, whose face was painted with strawberries, said, “We do volunteer work. It helps us get hours for scholarships, as well as helps the community.” She said CVHS president Cynthia Rogers reached out for volunteers.