The mango-eating competition during a past Mango Melee event. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
The first in-person Mango Melee event — one of the largest family gatherings with yearly attendance in the thousands — will return to its traditional, in-person setting today at the St. George Botanical Garden on St. Croix.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the last in-person Mango Melee was held in 2019, though organizers in 2020 held a virtual event which was carried live on the Consortium and had nearly 50,000 views.
The annual affair saw one of its largest turnouts to date in 2019, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to the garden for a taste of St. Croix’s culture, craft, and the island’s wide variety of food. That year, organizers had widened the offering with more entertainment from local artists, more competition, and even a Gentlemen of Jones bar.
Vendors traditionally line all sides of the garden, giving eventgoers a wide array of food to choose from. Mango Melee has also been an event where people meet with friends and where acquaintances who hadn’t connected for a while catch up.
This year, which marks Mango Melee's 26th anniversary, organizers the St. George Botanical Garden is hoping the move to in-person will bring back the event's glory days.
Gates open at noon until 5:00 p.m. The event will be followed by a sunset reggae concert featuring Dezarie.
