29th Mango Melee Promises Excitement for All at St. George Village Botanical Garden

By Linda Morland
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A large crowd gathers in anticipation of the Mango Eating Contest in 2024. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

The St. George Village Botanical Garden’s largest annual fundraiser, Mango Melee, returns this Sunday with food, crafts, contests, and family fun across the garden’s 16-acre grounds. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. All proceeds support the garden’s operational costs.

More than 100 local craft and food vendors will be featured at this year’s event. Guests can enjoy handcrafted art, jewelry, clothing, and a wide variety of mango treats and local favorites. Vendor maps and lists will be available to help visitors find their favorite booths.

Parking and Transportation

Designated parking will be available across from the St. Croix Blue House and the nearby church for $5 per vehicle. Free air-conditioned passenger buses will shuttle guests from the parking area to the garden entrance from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Limited handicap parking will be located near the Bodine Center. Vehicles with a government-issued placard will be directed by security personnel to the appropriate location.

Event Highlights

  • Mango Eating Contests: Set for 4 p.m. on the Great Hall lawn. Prizes will be awarded to both adult and children’s winners.

  • Mango Tasting: A new blindfolded mango-tasting contest will allow guests to sample five varieties and vote for a crowd favorite.

Young contestants eat as quickly as they can as they compete in the Children’s Mango Eating Contest in 2018. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Family Activities:

  • Virgin Islands Children’s Museum pop-up experience
  • Jungle James’ Petting Zoo
  • Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies
  • Music in Motion Dance Performance
  • Steelpan performance by Kevin Williams Jr.
Guardians of Culture are a popular feature at Mango Melee shown in a photo from 2024. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Food and Drink
Three bars sponsored by Cruzan Rum will be available:

  • In the Bodine Visitor Center

  • On the Great Hall lawn

  • Behind the Great Hall near the coral fountain

Check the event map for exact locations.

One of the long-time vendors, Cruzan Gold, is a popular booth at Mango Melee, pictured in 2019. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Educational and Environmental Programs

  • Soil testing and mango grafting workshop by the Virgin Islands Department of Education

  • Coral reef restoration talks by local environmental nonprofits

  • Presentation by the St. Croix Environmental Association on the ecological role of bats

The Children’s Museum of St. Croix provides a range of activities for children attending Mango Melee. Making bubbles is enjoyed by several in 2024. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Garden Extras

  • The Garden’s Nursery will be open during the event.

  • The St. Croix Orchid Society will offer a special orchid collection for sale.

  • Visit the Garden information table to enter a membership raffle. Prizes include a 2-night/3-day stay in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room at The Buccaneer Hotel (winner need not be present).

Multiple varieties of mangoes as well as local vegetables and other fruits on display in the Great Hall in 2019. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Check the schedule for activities and entertainment.

Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite or for purchase at the garden’s gift shop. Guests are encouraged to purchase early to skip the line on event day.