Don’t want to worry about parking at Cortez Fishing Festival? Here’s how to get there

If you are an experienced attendee at the annual Cortez Fishing Festival, you already know the biggest challenge is getting there, but the Manatee County Area Transit system has your back.

MCAT will once again offer a shuttle service from designated parking areas to the festival and back again when you’ve had your fill of delicious food and great music.

The shuttle will pick up passengers from G.T Bray Park, at the west entrance off 59th Street West, as well as from Coquina Beach’s bus turn around lane in Bradenton Beach.

Shuttles will begin picking up passengers at 10 a.m. from both locations and will run until 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The cash fare is $1.50 for each boarding, so be prepared to have that on hand ahead of time.

Discounts are offered to anyone at least 60 years old, active duty military and veterans and students with valid identification.

Anyone over the age of 80 rides for free.

All the action kicks off in Cortez at 10 a.m. with concerts lasting until 6 p.m. on Saturday. The music begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and lasts until 6 p.m.

Besides music and great food, catch “Dock Talks” presented by the Florida Sea Grant representatives with demonstrations and interactive displays at the waterfront docks.

This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 6:00 AM.