St. JanCo. will present its first-ever Guavaberry Contest at Franklin Powell Park in Cruz Bay, St. John, on Sunday. The event, running from 5:30 p.m. into the evening, promises an evening steeped in cultural heritage, local talent, and festive celebration.
More than just a competition, the event is a heartfelt initiative to preserve a cherished custom. After listening to St. John elders engage in a lively debate about who makes the best guavaberry on the island, St. JanCo.’ s President and cofounder, Hadiya Sewer, suggested hosting the contest to honor the territory’s culinary heritage — and, of course, to settle any debates.
“Some elders in our community thought it would be a great idea because the tradition of making guavaberry rum has slowly been lost over time. This contest is intended to help preserve and celebrate that tradition,” explained Jovanna Laurencin, executive director of St. JanCo.
The contest will spotlight guavaberry rums and liqueurs, beverages deeply connected to Virgin Islands history and holiday celebrations. “Guavaberry rum is a long-standing Virgin Islands tradition, typically made during this time of year, and is synonymous with Christmas and community gatherings,” said Laurencin.
“Guavaberry rum making is such a beautiful, slow, and often intergenerational practice,” Sewer added. “In some families, new batches are made using a small amount of liquor left at the bottom of an older jimmy john. In this way, guavaberry making carries forward the flavor, history, and care of previous generations of Virgin Islanders.”
Contestants’ homemade creations will be evaluated by a guest judge with a distinguished palate. “The judge, Juncinto Durant, brings years of experience as a culinary connoisseur, combined with hands-on family training and mentorship from an industry professional with extensive distillery experience and international exposure to flavor pairing,” Laurencin explained.
Beyond the competition, attendees can enjoy a full community festival atmosphere. The evening will feature live musical performances by Quelbe Resurrection and Icon Sounds. A selection of local foods, snacks, and crafts will be available, and a cash bar will be on site. “These elements are key to the experience. We strive to educate locals, residents, and visitors about our homegrown traditions and culture,” said Laurencin.
Two trophies will be awarded: one for People’s Choice and one for the Judges’ Best Choice.
For St. JanCo., the event reflects its core mission. “This event provides a meaningful opportunity for cultural education and for experiencing a tradition that has long been passed down by elders in our community,” Laurencin said. Sewer noted that guavaberry making highlights Virgin Islands foodways and ecologies. “We cultivate the trees and harvest the fruit to craft the liqueur. In a territory that imports more than 95 percent of its food, celebrating guavaberry making reflects St. JanCo.’ s commitment to land stewardship, cultural heritage preservation, and echoing the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition’s call for food security, local farming, and the use of locally grown food in our dining.”
Parking will be available at Slim Man’s Parking Lot and the nearby gravel lot. Contest sign-up and additional information are available by emailing info@stjanco.org. Those interested in participating, vending, or volunteering for this or future events are encouraged to reach out via email or through St. JanCo.’ s Facebook and Instagram pages.
