10th Annual Mango Melee

The 10th Annual Mango Melee of 2006 was ,as usual, a spectacular display of tropical fruits and products and, of course, the mighty mango. There was a "Mango Dis, Mango Dat" competition, Mango Eating Contest, Mango Tastings, and various displays, vendors and craftspeople and children's games. Demonstrations on Tree Trimming, Pineapple Cultivation, Ice Cream making, and Mango Tree grafting held in the new Bodine Visitor's Center, as well as the usual garden tours.

	Vendors and their wares were on hand along the tree-lined corridor that leads to the nursery. Many offered natural products or products made in St. Croix, as is the criteria for participation.

	Inside the Great Hall, mangoes of various kinds, grown on St. Croix, were on display. Some are large like the selections here and some are small.

	Many other fruits and the products that can be made from them were on display. Cocoa is shown in the pod and prepared ground (in plastic bag).

	In the Great Hall vendors were also selling prepared jams, jellies and hot sauce made from local fruits.

	Then it was on to the "Mango Dis Mango Dat" Contest. The judges were busy tasting more than thirty entries, mango featured in each one.

	Mmmmm...so many choices! Some good cook is going to be declared the winner!

	And then it was time after the judging and awarding to let the public in on the taste testing.

	The kids games included various races such as racing while holding a mango between the knees. And there were more vendors spread out along the route to the new Bodine Visitors Center.

	The Bodine Visitor's Center equip with a Giftshop, Conference Room, and Pavillion.

The day's agenda was conveniently posted in several areas during the event.

	The mango tasting and juice sampling segment of the day. Followed by a garden tour.

	The icecream making demonstration. Everyone who wanted to try it got a taste of the finished product.

	Mr. Carlos Robles of the VI Department of Agriculture demonstrated the proper tools for and the process of trimming trees. His class started indoors and then moved outdoors to a tree on which he did an actual three step cut.

	Dr. Zimmerman of the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station discussed the propagation of Pineapple - a fruit originated right here in the tropics. He is currently working on a study which will eventually determine which are the best types to grow here on St. Croix.

	Lots of food was available for hungry Melee-goers. There were mangoes and items made from mango as well as a whole list of other tropical treats and specialities.

	The Plant Nursery at Botanical Gardens was also open and selling baby plants for the intrepid to take home and grow to maturity.

	And then there came the much awaited Mango Eating Contest. Each contestant had 10 mangoes to eat - big ones - as you can see.

	Not giving up yet!

	Keep going! The crowd watches patiently and these guys just keep on eating. Ten mangoes are bigger than one of these little girls - how did they manage?

	Everyone is eating furiously, right up to the end - and we have a winner. Anthony Joseph for the third year in a row!

"Mango Dis Mango Dat" Winners

Appetizers/Non-alcoholic Beverages

1st Place - Mango Salsa - Anna Petersen 2nd Place - Mango Spritz - Jonathan Keathley 3rd Place - Mango Hot Sauce - Mona Bastien

Condiments

1st Place - Mango Salsa - Jane Aiken 2nd Place - Mango Curry Pepper Sauce - Leo Dikinis 3rd Place - Mango Hot Sauce - Anna Petersen

Desserts/Baked Goods

1st Place - Mango Paradise Cake - Tanubia Byr 2nd Place - Mango Sunshine Cake - Joanne White 3rd Place - Mango Crisp - Marilyn Chakroff

Mango Flavored Alcoholic Drinks

1st Place - Sparkling Mango Honey Elixir - Leo Dikinis 2nd Place - Cruzan Mango Martini - Jonathan Kiethley 3rd Place - Mango Passion Cocktail - Virginia Dikinis