Crowds Flock to Botanical Garden on St. Croix for Annual Mango Melee Festival

Although the festival drew large crowds, especially for the annual Mango Eating Competition, some vendors said the heat negatively impacted their business

The 28th annual Mango Melee drew hundreds of Virgin Islanders to St. Croix’s St. George Village Botanical Garden on Sunday, with crowds celebrating the fruit through the annual mango eating competition and “Mango Dis, Mango Dat” food contest, while supporting local vendors and organizations.

The highlight of the event, the mango eating competition even drew non-residents to the festival, including the winner of the 13 and up category, Noel Mendez. “I’m originally from Puerto Rico so in our country, we eat a lot of mangoes,” said Mr. Mendez, responding to host Positive Nelson asking where he “learned to eat mangoes like that.” Mr. Mendez currently resides in New Jersey.‌

Meanwhile Arianna Sage, winner of the 12 and under category of the competition, said her mother inspired her to compete. When asked by Mr. Nelson what her strategy was, Sage confidently described swiftly dropping her plate once she finished the mangoes as “a boss move.” For winning the contest, Sage won gift certificates from Dodat St. Croix Toys and Souvenirs, Sorbetiere Homemade Sorbet & Ice Cream, and Shupe's on the Boardwalk.