Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival
The St. George Village Botanical Gardens hosts Mango Melee in July. This famous summer event promotes a wider appreciation for tropical fruits, particularly mangoes, and educates the public on how to grow them and how to use them in a variety of ways. Mango Melee provides educational classes and enjoyable activities for children while also raising funds for the Garden's year-round programming.
'Mango Dis, Mango Dat' is a popular food competition that has grown in popularity in recent years. The competition is open to chefs and cooks from all across the Virgin Islands. Mangoes must appear prominently in four different categories:
- Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks):
- Sweets (and desserts)
- Salsas (and sauces)
- Stuff (any miscellaneous foods that don’t fit in the other categories)
There are also tropical fruit tastings and demonstrations, as well as numerous mango contests, a Tropical Fruit Identification contest, and the ever-popular kids Mango Eating Contest. Best of all, local food and beverages will be available for purchase, as will a variety of craft sellers. Throughout the Garden, there will be cultural dance performances, moko jumbies, music, and more. The Botanical Gardens will also contain a bar serving tropical rum beverages, a nursery where plants may be purchased, and the Museum and Store. The day comes to a close with a silent auction of the tropical fruits on display in the Great Hall for the occasion.
When: July
