2024 Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival Canceled

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. After assessing the damage and prioritizing the safety and recovery of our community, we realized this was the best course of action.

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Located at Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar in Cortez Village – 4628 119th Street West
Fresh stone crab and seafood available all weekend long! Enjoy LOCAL house specials like smoked fish spread, peel & eat gulf shrimp, clam chowder, shrimp & grits and more!

Event Information

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

2024 Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival Canceled

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. After assessing the damage and prioritizing the safety and recovery of our community, we realized this was the best course of action.

KidZone!

Great fun for kids of all ages

We are excited to announce a new and improved Kid Zone at the 12th Annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival! Admission to the festival is free for children ages 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by parents.

Fresh stone crab and seafood available all weekend long! Enjoy LOCAL house specials like smoked fish spread, peel & eat gulf shrimp, clam chowder, shrimp & grits and more!

Shop from over 50 Local Art & More Vendors at the 2024 Stone Crab & Music Festival

Below are some few examples of the many vendors attending!

And SO MUCH MORE!

Fresh stone crab and seafood available all weekend long! Enjoy LOCAL house specials like smoked fish spread, peel & eat gulf shrimp, clam chowder, shrimp & grits and more!

All spaces for the 2023 Cortez Stone Crab Festival have been filled, as well as our wait list. Please come back Summer 2024 to apply for the 2024 festival.

Ocala Country Ventures

Ocala Country Ventures

Carol from Ocala Ventures has been making purses from the tops (shaft) of a cowboy boot and horse hair jewelry for over ten years!
Cajan Casey

Cajan Casey

Local craftsman, Cajun Casey, sells wood carving of Tikis, Fish, Mermaids, Pirates, Sea Creatures and other interesting coastal area related decorations.
Open Water Crafts

Open Water Crafts

My name is Jay Caldwell. I retired from the United States Air Force after 26 years of service. After retiring from the USAF; I worked as a biological sampler for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Cons…
Mama Brookes Hot Sauce

Mama Brookes Hot Sauce

We are a small batch, vegan friendly, Caribbean inspired, hot sauce manufacturer. All of our handcrafted gourmet sauces are FDA approved and made with love or flavors are spicy, mango, spicy musta…
Frumples & Sculptures

Frumples & Sculptures

Paula dreamt “The Frumples” on October 7,1998 started making them on October 8th and has been creating them ever since. Paula learned to upcycle/paper mache when she was only 5 years old and has t…
Amy’s Creations

Amy’s Creations

Amy’s love for the ocean, whether it be the west coast or the east coast, has given her the inspiration for her work.  You will find Amy combing the beach for seashells at the full moon.&nbsp…
Breezy Bakery

Breezy Bakery

Breezy Bakery is the Cortez sweet spot with everything 100% made from scratch! Selling homemade Florida Key Lime Pie FROZEN on a stick, dipped in chocolate!  Beat the heat with this tart treat, al…
Barbara’s Kitchen

Barbara’s Kitchen

You don’t want to miss Sharon & Dwight (aka “The Dreaded Fisherman”), they are so fun and offer the best recipes and recommendations to pair with their delicious products! Launched in 2016 Bar…
Flood Glass Studios

Flood Glass Studios

Kristen
My work is inspired by our fragile ecosystem, particularly where land meets sea.
Cortez Curse Rum Nuts

Cortez Curse Rum Nuts

Rum Coconuts pair perfectly with Stone Crab! Cortez Curse Rum Nuts have been serving their secret fisherman-famous recipe since 2012!

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Cortez Stone Crabbing

Our Stone Crabs Never Travel by Land!

The onset of winter in Florida not only brings wonderfully mild sunny weather but also the eagerly anticipated annual harvest of stone crab claws. Florida stone crabs are a local delicacy. Our crabs are as sweet as lobster and made up of firm yet flakey juicy meat. Stone crab season is October 15th – May 1st. Our crabs are harvested commercially by baited traps dropped and pulled by our very own crab boat, the Boss Lady. The captain of the Boss Lady is John’s oldest son, Cole Banyas. The Boss Lady’s crew harvests more than a TON of stone crab claws for the annual festival! Twelve years ago the Stone Crab Festival came to be to celebrate and honor the hard working stone crabbers of Cortez. This year’s festival theme is, “Welcome to the Stone Age”, to celebrate the arrival of the peak of stone crab season. Join the fun for the 12th Annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival. This outdoor event is being held at 4628 119th Street West in Cortez Village on Saturday & Sunday, November 9th & 10th, from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM both days. Music will continue into the evening at the Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar & The Cortez Kitchen. We will have plenty of fresh, local seafood, ice cold beverages, many talented music acts appearing and lots of stone crab. There will also be a Kid’s Zone and many local artists displaying their wares. A seating area with a large tent will be in place for protection from the sun, or in the event of rain.

Meet the Owner

John Banyas is a fourth generation fisherman from Cortez, Florida. Boats, water, wind & fish have permeated his life. He grew up fishing and surfing and listening to his grandfather’s fishing stories and from high school on, he has never stopped fishing. After his grandfather, whom N.E. Taylor Boatworks Company is named after, passed away, John set out to catch bait, mullet and stone crab in earnest under the name Cortez Bait & Seafood. John has been fishing and working ever since. Later opening Swordfish Grill & Tiki to provide sustainable seafood in the oldest active fishing village in the state of Florida.

Follow our Facebook page to learn more about the 11th annual SCMF

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

Cover charge will be: $5 Adults and 12 & Under Free

What time does the festival start?

Saturday & Sunday November 11th & 12th Festival Hours: 10am-6pm

Are dogs allowed?
This is a dog friendly event and there will even be a booth to grab treats for your pet! Please be courteous to the crowd and clean up after your dog.
Are there bathrooms available?
Absolutely! We will have portable restrooms available for patrons. Those dining at the Swordfish Grill will have access to their restrooms.
Where do we park?
Parking will be available at the F.I.S.H. Preserve. don’t worry, we will have plenty of signs to guide you!
Will there be handicap parking available?
Yes!  There will be a parking lot reserved for handicap parking, please have your handicap tag displayed.
Do we have to purchase tickets?
You will need tickets to purchase food or participate in the Kid Zone area. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at the ticket tent located near the Swordfish Grill entrance. Tickets must be purchased with cash, but there will be an ATM available. Art vendors will not accept tickets, but most will accept cash and credit cards.
What if it rains?
Large covered seating area is available for cover if needed.
What if we need cash?
There will be an ATM available on site.
What if I want to come by boat?
Absolutely! We are located at Marker 49. Dock space is limited and at a first come first serve basis. Please be courteous when parking and leave as much room as possible for additional boats. Dock lines are not provided.
Will the Swordfish Grill be open? Can I make a reservation?

Yes, the restaurant, including both bars will be open but will not be accepting reservations. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. Come check out the new tiki roof and the new custom fans! 

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