Cortez Stone Crab festival set for this weekend

It began just three years ago, but already the Cortez Stone Crab Festival has become one of the area's most popular annual events.

It's pretty easy to see why. There's the magnificent weather that we almost always experience around here in early November, the massive amounts of fresh-from-the dock seafood that the local waters offer (especially the titular succulent crustaceans that are now is season), and the music lineup that includes nationally known bands. Plus it's free.

This year's festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez. The live music gets going early, at 10:30 a.m. both days, and lasts all day on three stages. In fact, even though the festival itself ends at 6, the live music continues nonstop into the night at Swordfish Grill and neighboring Cortez Kitchen.

Among the big names on the music lineup is Twinkle and her band Rock Soul Radio. Saturday's music lineup includes Natural Vibes (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), TC & Randy (noon-4 p.m.) The Bottom Line Band (1-3 p.m.) and Raising Cain (3:30-6 p.m.). Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones, veterans of the Bradenton Blues Festival take the stage at 6 p.m., right at the time the festival closes.

On Sunday, the music comes from BC & the Gang (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), TC & Randy (noon-4 p.m), Bobby "Bobby G." Gilbert (1-3 p.m.), Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio (3:30-6 p.m.) Tropix (3-7 p.m.) and Shelly D and the Blue Velvet Band (5-8 p.m.)

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 7-8, Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W, Cortez. Tickets: Free. Information: swordfishgrillcortez.com.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Cortez Stone Crab festival set for this weekend ."