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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Generally, Florida’s festival landscape is bustling with activities.
This year, however, some local festivals face challenging decisions as they navigate hurricane recovery efforts.
What You Need To Know
- In a post on Facebook, the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival announced: “After much careful thought, we have made the tough choice not to hold the Cortez Stone Crab Festival this year. The impacts of last year’s hurricanes posed significant challenges for our cherished historic village.”
- Local vendors depend on the Stone Crab Fishing Festival for essential income.
- The hurricanes from last year resulted in days without power, leading to significant financial losses.
- In the same Facebook update, the festival organizers mention plans for a small stone crab celebration this fall.
The Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival recently posted on its Facebook page that this year’s festival has been canceled.
This cancellation affects not only festival attendees but also the vendors who cater to them.
Vendors have long relied on the Cortez Stone Crab Festival for crucial revenue.
With the festival’s cancellation, businesses still recovering from last year’s storms face yet another setback.
For Travis Roy, who co-owns Breezy Bakery in Cortez, baking is not just a job but a livelihood.
Last year’s hurricanes caused extended power outages for the bakery, resulting in thousands of dollars in losses.
“That was money we were never able to recover,” he explained.
The losses occurred due to spoiled inventory and a drop in sales during their closure.
Additionally, they saw a decrease in customer visits post-storms.
“Even with the loans, it’s still a loan, and we have to pay it back. So, we are continuously fighting and struggling,” he shared.
This is why Roy depends on local events and festivals to boost his business and income.
Thus, when he learned of the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival’s cancellation, it was a disappointment.
“It really helps us out. It allows us to make ends meet. We might not be the highest-volume place, but it certainly makes for a less stressful month regarding bills and running the business,” he remarked.
In their Facebook message, the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival mentioned:
“After much careful thought, we have made the tough choice not to host the Cortez Stone Crab Festival this year. The aftermath of last year’s hurricanes posed significant challenges for our cherished historic village.”
They also hinted at plans for a mini stone crab celebration in the fall.
“It’s something we truly enjoy and cherish being involved with,” said Roy.
Whenever the festival does return, he will certainly be there.
He believes that community support is invaluable.
Last year’s Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was also canceled due to hurricane impacts.
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