Tropical fruit fans flock to MangoMania

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2015 Mango Queen Jonna Bouchard. Ed Franks

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The first place winner in th adult pie eating contest was Edward Cabrera, center second went to Breanna DeGroot, right, and third place went to Aaron Greber, left. Ed Franks

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In the kids pie eating contest, Wesley Breeding, left, took first while third went to Dominic Velluci, right. Second place was won by Jessica Payne (absent). Ed Franks

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Samples of the sweet treat were available during the event. Ed Franks

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A wide variety of plants were also available for purchase at the annual MangoMania Festival over the weekend. Ed Franks

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People began lining up at the gates under sunny skies and a warm summer breeze Saturday morning for MangoMania 2015.

The two-day event, which concluded Sunday, is sponsored by The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, and was held on the grounds of the German American Club on Pine Island Road.

“The purpose of this annual event is to showcase all that Pine Island has to offer and to promote island growers and businesses,” Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Jennings said.

The event officially opened with the Pine Island American Legion Post 136 Color Guard presenting the colors and Trailer Park Barbie singing the National Anthem. Thirty minutes after opening, the walkways were teeming with people.

Francis Clark came with her two sons.

“This is my first MangoMania,” Clark said. “I’m amazed at how big it is and there’s even a bounce-house and swing for the kids to play on. We’ll probably stay until it gets too hot.”

Jonna Bouchard, 2015 Mango Queen, greeted people throughout the park.

“We have a great turnout this year and it seems everyone is having a wonderful time. I’ll be running all the kids’ contests and games, such as the hat decorating contest and the hat parade, followed by Mr. Mango Head contest, where you decorate a mango, mango juggling, mango corn hole and the ever popular the Hula Hoop contest.”

The children’s pie eating contest had 13 entries. The first place winner was Wesley Breeding, second place was won by Jessica Payne, and third place went to Dominic Velluci.

The adult’s pie eating contest had nine entries. The first place winner was Edward Cabrera, with second place going to Breanna DeGroot and third place to Aaron Greber.

“I can’t believe how everything came together this year,” Jennings said. “We filled every booth with 118 vendors for this year and next year we will manage to have a little more space. I think, without looking at the numbers, we will break last year’s record.”

Sponsors of this year’s MangoMania included The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel; LCEC (Lee County Electric Company); Tarpon Lodge; The News-Press; Ad&PrintCraft Printing, Market-ing; Honc Construction; Budweiser (Suncoast Beverages); Pine Island Eagle/Cape Coral Breeze; Hole in One Golf Carts; Garden St. Portables; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.