Cortez, Fla. (1/25/2022) – The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) invites you to experience authentic Florida at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on February 19th and 20th. The festival takes place on museum grounds, but is organized entirely by a volunteer committee of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H., a Florida not-for-profit corporation). As the museum is located within festival boundaries, FMM’s regular operating hours during festival days are the following:
- Friday, February 18: Museum is closed and the museum parking lot is closed to vehicles for festival set-up
- Saturday, February 19: Museum is open within the festival boundaries from 9AM – 4PM, but the museum parking lot is closed to vehicles. Museum grounds and outdoor exhibits are accessible for festival-attendees only.
- Sunday, February 20: Museum is closed as regularly scheduled and the museum parking lot is closed to vehicles. Museum grounds and outdoor exhibits are accessible for festival-attendees only.
- Monday, February 21: Museum is closed as regularly scheduled, but the parking lot, grounds and outdoor exhibits are accessible to the public.
- Tuesday, February 22: Museum is closed in observation of Presidents Day, but the parking lot, grounds and outdoor exhibits are accessible to the public.
The 2022 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is hosted by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and offers an array of family-friendly vendors, food, and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy live music, nautical arts & crafts, children’s activities, local seafood, and much more. Admission to the festival is $5 for adults and children 12 & under are free. For more information on the festival, including parking and a schedule of entertainment, please visit the F.I.S.H. website.
The Florida Maritime Museum, located at 4415 119th Street West in the historic fishing village of Cortez, offers a snapshot of old Florida through a collection of informative exhibits, educational programs, community events, and research materials. Visit FloridaMaritimeMuseum.org for more information, or call (941) 708-6120.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA MARITIME MUSEUM
Serving the public since 2007, the museum’s mission is to collect, preserve and share traditional knowledge, cultural artifacts and personal stories specific to Florida’s fishing and maritime heritage. The Florida Maritime Museum is a part of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Historical Resources Department, with additional support from the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. Situated on the Cortez Nature Preserve, FMM grounds were purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program and the Manatee County Board of County Commission. Located in the 1912 schoolhouse in the historic fishing village of Cortez, the museum offers a snapshot of old Florida through a collection of informative exhibits, educational programs, community events, and research materials.