Mango Melee

Every July, Mango Melee is hosted by the St. George Village Botanical Gardens. This popular summer event helps develop a greater appreciation for tropical fruits, especially mangoes, and educates the public about growing these fruits and the many ways they can be used. Mango Melee offers educational workshops as well as fun activities for children and helps raise funds for the programs the Garden presents throughout the year.

'Mango Dis, Mango Dat' is a food competition that has been building in popularity over the past few years. Chefs and cooks from around the Virgin Islands are invited to compete. There are four categories in which mangoes must feature prominently:

* Sips (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 prizes awarded in all categories, and tastes of the winning entries are then available for sale. Contact the Garden for the 'Mango Dis, Mango Dat' entry requirements, fees and details.

There are also tropical fruit demonstrations and tastings, various mango contests, a Tropical Fruit Identification contest, and the ever-popular kids Mango Eating Contest. Best of all, local food and drinks are available for purchase, and scores of craft vendors will be offering their wares. Enjoy cultural dance performances, moko jumbies, music and more throughout the Garden. The Botanical Gardens will also have multiple bars featuring tropical rum drinks with mango, the nursery will be open and plants will be available for sale, the Orchid Society will have a sale, and the Garden's Museum and Store will be open. The day ends with a silent auction on the tropical fruits that have been on display in the Great Hall for the event.

For 2024, check out the children's exhibit by the Children's Museum, a mobile petting zoo and lawn games by Jungle James, and an inflatable obstacle course by Apex Inflatables! And don't miss the educational workshops by community organizations like the Nature Conservancy (on coral restoration), CHANT (on archiving), SEA (on native bats), and CORE (on invasive lionfish ceviche preparation). For a schedule of events and more details, go to www.SGVBG.org.