Mango here, mango there, mango everywhere. As the resounding theme of mangoes filled the air, the 27th annual Mango Melee held at the St. George Village Botanical Garden on Sunday on St. Croix, former Sen. Positive Nelson exclaimed with joy, “Belly buss’ with mango.”
During the mango-eating contest, children as young as four years old competed, while the competition was steep during the adults’ division with strapping men. The crowd cheered in high spirits as local mangoes were devoured hastily for the ultimate prize of bragging rights and other monetary prizes for a series of local experiences.
There were mango fritters, mango barbecue chicken, mango lollipops, mango ice cream, mango stew, mango trout, and the list truly goes on. With no corner turned without mangoes to be seen, this year’s Mango Melee delivered on mangos in every shape, size, and form. Mouthwatering delicacies and thirst-quenching cocktails all had a taste, hint, or chunk of mango, to everyone’s great pleasure.