Falling in love with Cortez for Valentine’s Day
Festivalgoers fill the streets of historic Cortez Feb. 14 during the 44th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The two-day event, held between 123rd and 124th streets west at Star Fish and A.P. Bell Fish companies, featured seafood, music and artisan booths. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson
Bob Slicker, serving as emcee, raises a drink in a toast to the audience Feb. 14 at the 44th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, a fundraiser for the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.
Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage secretary Angela Collins, an extension scientist with Florida Sea Grant, holds a gag grouper during a Dock Talks program at the Fulford Fish House in Cortez. The talks were held through the festival weekend to educate the public about local marine life and commercial fisheries.
Crystal Rivers of CC Styling Studio paints a rainbow design over the eyes of Reyna Evangalista, 3, Feb. 14 at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
Damon Moore, executive director for Oyster River Ecology, left, holds a new oyster rag pot while Abbey Kuhn, ORE ecological projects coordinator, displays a pot showing about 10 years of oyster growth at the festival. Rag pots provide hard surfaces for young oysters to attach.
Jason Haram performs Feb. 14 at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Other entertainers scheduled over the weekend included the Shanty Singers, Doug Demming & the Jewel Tones, The Co-Pilots, Sycamore Shade, Soul-R-Coaster, Eric Von Band and MOB.
Matt McKinnon displays a specialty shirt Feb. 14 after winning an auction at the festival.
Addison Golm, center, and Christa Bell, right, serve strawberry shortcake to Sue Burich of Bradenton Feb. 14 at the 44th Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
