Despite alternating rain and sunshine, crowds packed into the St. George Village Botanical Garden Sunday for the annual Mango Melee — an event that has become the garden’s largest fundraiser and a community favorite.
Parking lots overflowed and cars lined the road from Queen Mary Highway far past the garden entrance as families, food lovers, and plant enthusiasts turned out for a full day of activities, food, and entertainment.
More than 100 local vendors offered a wide array of crafts and cuisine. Children ran through the garden with ice cream cones in hand while parents browsed booths filled with goods ranging from plants to pastries. Food trucks and tents served everything from hot meals to desserts, including cake, ice cream, and other sweets.
Highlights of the event included workshops, live entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. Olasee Davis led a presentation on traditional folk medicine in the Virgin Islands, complete with a display of medicinal plants and recommended reading for those interested in learning more. The Virgin Islands Education Department hosted a gardening session that included soil testing tips and mango grafting techniques.
Environmental education was also part of the lineup, with the St. Croix Environmental Association sharing information on the role of bats in the local ecosystem.
Children had plenty to enjoy, from donkey rides with Cowboy Steve to animal encounters with Toni Lance and her hawk. The Children’s Museum and Orchid Society also had booths, and the garden’s nursery featured a special selection of orchids for sale.
A performance by the Advent VI Pulse Drum Corp on the Great House lawn drew cheers from the crowd. According to Director Andrew Jackson, the group has been performing together for the past two years and is open to youth and young adults ages 13 to 35. Recruitment for the new season runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 16. For more information, contact adventistvipulse@gmail.com or visit @vi_pulse_sda on Instagram.
The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center offered puppy cuddles and adoption opportunities. Executive Director LaToya Petty and Ava Jones greeted guests at the booth with three adoptable puppies, including Chili-Poo and Cycle, bringing smiles to visitors of all ages.
A new addition to this year’s lineup — mango tasting — was well received. Attendees sampled five varieties and voted for their favorites. Valencia Pride took first place, followed by Irwin, Julie, Madam Francis, and Sensation. The winning variety was featured in the much-anticipated mango-eating contests.
The children’s and adult mango eating contests were crowd favorites, with spectators cheering as contestants devoured fruit from large silver bowls. Arianne Sage repeated as winner in the Children’s Contest, and Hardarshan Byrd took the top prize in the Adult Contest.
According to its website, the St. George Village Botanical Garden spans 16 acres on the site of a repurposed 18th-century Danish colonial sugarcane plantation. It is home to more than 1,000 species of Caribbean and pan-tropical plants and serves as both an educational center and a showcase of the Virgin Islands’ botanical heritage and gardening potential.
