The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) is pleased to partner with the Cortez Cultural Center to host the Cortez Nautical Flea Market. This FREE family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 8 am to 12 pm.

If you love boats, have salt water flowing through your veins, or if you are dreaming about deals on fishing gear, marine equipment, or other maritime flotsam and jetsam, then this event is for you. Parking will be available at the F.I.S.H. Preserve located on Cortez Road next to the Cortez Cultural Center directly east of the Florida Maritime Museum.

The museum is looking for nautical vendors to participate in this fun event. Space is limited, so dig out your boat supplies or fishing gear and register early. Early bird registration fee is $25 until October 1. The Florida Maritime Museum, located at 4415 119^th 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. Vendors must provide their own table, tent, etc. For more details and vendor registration, visit floridamaritimemuseum.org or call 941-708-6120. 

The Nautical Flea Market will also include a selection of nautical-themed arts and crafts at the Cortez Cultural Center. If you are interested in being an arts and crafts vendor, email cvhs2016@aol.com or call Kaye Bell at (941) 528-0945.

The Florida Maritime Museum is a part of the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's Historical Resources Department, with additional support from the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. 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. 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. The Cortez Commercial Fishing Village and the 1912 Cortez Rural Graded Schoolhouse are designated on the National Register of Historic Places.