MangoMania Saturday at the Winn-Dixie Plaza
This year’s MangoMania celebration will be held next Saturday, July 12, at the Winn-Dixie Plaza from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.
According to board member, Cynthia Welch, MangoMania is a celebration, bringing together farmers and enthusiasts alike.
“We are thrilled to be able to be there,” Welch said.
The MangoMania festival features various activities, she said, such as tropical plants and trees and fruit which are for sale, planting seminars, mango recipe contests, as well as a contest featuring the biggest mango, live music, food based on mango and tropical fruits, adult beverages, arts, crafts and island businesses.
A $5 donation is appreciated at the gate to benefit island businesses, Welch said.
This event will be showcasing local entertainment. At 9 a.m., the music begins with DJ Maggie from Inferno Rock Radio, who will be playing some great tunes to get the day started. At 2 p.m., Sheena Brook will take the stage. A multi-genre singer-songwriter, Brook became known to American television audiences as a contestant on THE VOICE in 2017. Welch said, if you think you have Pine Island’s biggest mango, you’re invited to the weigh in, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the seminar tent.
The recipe contest sign-in is between 9-11 a.m. Participants can sign in and drop off their mango bread, dessert, jams, salsa or condiments at the food contest tent. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m.
See the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce website for a full list of contest categories.
Islanders and visitors can also make their own Mr. Mango Head (Mr. Potato head but with mango). It’s fun for kids of all ages, going on all day at the Kiwanis Tent. Kids of all ages are also invited to join in the fun at the Dunk Tank. Kids can see if they can splash some of Pine Island’a celebrities, also provided by the Kiwanis Club of Pine island.
“We’re going to have a lot of seminars featuring local experts who will be talking about growing. We are very happy to have found such an accommodating venue for our Chamber events,” Welch said.
Seminar Schedule:
• 9:30 a.m. — Stephen Cucura of Fruitscapes. History of Mango on Pine Island.
• 10:30 a.m. — Har Mahdeem: Mango Grafting
• 11:30 a.m. — Jay Reynolds of the Grove from the old Tree House nursery: Mango Farming & Permaculture.
• 1 p.m. — Stephen Cucura of Fruitscapes: Breeding new Mango Varieties.
• 2 p.m. — Tim Watkins of Eco Vision: Mango in the landscape.
• 3 p.m. — Donna Schneider of Pine Island Tropicals: Cooking and Preserving with Tropical Fruit.
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is at 10530 Stringfellow Road, #3, Bokeelia. For more information, visit pineislandchamber.org
The Winn-Dixie plaza is located at 9864 Stringfellow Road, south of The Center, St James City. For more information about the store, visit https://www.winndixie.com/storedetails/st%20james%20city/fl?search=726&zipcode=33956&referby=_sd.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email