MangoMania contests have something for everyone
From mango tossing to pie eating, contests of numerous varieties will be offered to visitors of this year’s MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival. Events will be geared for children, adults, senior citizens and entire families through out the two-day event. On Saturday, July 10, the children can vie for a prized by decorating their own mango and entering it into the Mr. Mango Head Contest, participate in the children’s division of the Mango Pine Eating Contest, participate in the Mango Hat parade, enter the Mango Hat contest and pair up with an adult to compete in the Generation Gap Relay Race. On Sunday, July 11, adults as well as children can take their chances in the Precision Mango Toss, test their pitching arms in the World’s Longest Mango Throw or enter the Mango Juggling contest. Also on Sunday, judges will name this year’s entry for the World’s Largest Mango Contest and once again both children and adults are invited to march in the Mango Hat Parade and show off their best in the Mango Hat Contest. One of the biggest attractions again this year will be the annual food contest open to both novice and professional chefs.
For both professionals and non-professionals, the rules for the Mango Food Contest are as follows:
— All entries must have mango in the recipe
— Judging will begin at 10 a.,. on Saturday, July 10, at the Main Stage of the festival with judging of the processional competition first
— All entry forms must be delivered to the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce office by 3 p.m. on Friday, July 9. Entry forms may be dropped off or faxed to the chamber at 283-0336. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— All recipe entries must be at the Main Stage by 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 10
— All entries will be assigned a number for judging
— Bring a cooler or warming tray with entries if needed
The categories for entries in the professional completion are Mango Appetizer, Mango Entree and Mango Desert, while those for individual non-professional categories are more extensive. The non-professional cooks can submit entries for the best Mango Chutney/relish, Mango Salsa, Mango Cookie, Mango Bread, Mango Preserves, Mango Candy, Mango Ice Cream, and a non-alcoholic Mango Drink.
Entry forms for both the professional and non-professional mango food contests can be found at the official MangoMania website located at floridascreativecoast.com or for more information call the Chamber Welcome Center at 283-0888.
MangoMania will take place at the German-American Club on Pine Island Road on Saturday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and children under age 10 will be admitted for free. Advanced tickets for the event are on sale at the Chamber Welcome Center at a discounted rate of $5 and parking at the German-American Club is free of charge.