The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce\u2019s MangoMania 2026,\u00a0Pine Island\u2019s Tropical Fruit Fair, will be held this Saturday, July 11, at the Winn-Dixie Plaza, 9940 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. The special event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
According to CPICC Board Member Cynthia Welch, MangoMania is a celebration of all things mango related, bringing together both farmers and enthusiasts to enjoy the bounty of this beloved fruit and Pine Island. If you have a passion for mangoes or just want to have a fun day out with family and friends, Welch said, be sure to mark your calendar for MangoMania because It\u2019s an experience, she\u2019s certain, you won\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur whole mission is to help our members and promote our island with everything we do through specific events, but, we also do it in a multitude of other ways,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n
Some of the festival features include\u00a0tropical plants, trees and fruit for sale; planting seminars; mango recipe contests; biggest mango contest; live music, mango and tropical fruit food; adult beverages; and arts, crafts and island businesses.\u00a0A $5 donation is appreciated on your way in to benefit island businesses.<\/p>\n
MangoMania will be showcasing local entertainment beginning at 9 a.m. with DJ Kitty, who will be playing some great tunes to get the day started.\u00a0At 2 p.m., Brother Love will be live on stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is specifically exciting, in that, this is the 30th year for MangoMania. We\u2019ve gone through various changes over time. We\u2019ve added things, we\u2019ve taken things away, but the core of the festival is promoting our island and our chamber members. That has remained unchanged,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n
Welch said they try very purposefully to have something that appeals to everybody at each mango event. She said you can also join the fun in the event contests, such as, do you have \u201cPine Islands Biggest Mango?\u201d Weigh in starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Biggest Mango Tent.<\/p>\n
Recipe contests sign in is between 9 and 11 a.m. Sign in and drop off your mango bread, dessert, jams, salsa or condiments at the Food Contest Tent. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. See the chamber website<\/a> for a full list of contest categories. <\/p>\n Make your own Mr. Mango Head (Mr. Potato Head but with mango). Fun for kids of all ages, going on all day in the Kids area.<\/p>\n Seminar Schedule:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 10:30\u00a0 a.m. \u2014 Stephen Cucura of Fruitscapes:\u00a0History of Mango on Pine Island<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 11:30\u00a0 a.m. \u2014 Jay Reynolds of The Grove from the Old Tree House nursery: Cold protection for Mango Plants<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 1 p.m. \u2014\u00a0 Har Mahdeem: Grafting Mango Trees<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 2 p.m. \u2014\u00a0 Tim Watkins of Eco Vision: How to design a mini food forest garden<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, one of the exciting things we\u2019ve added are misting fans with cooling water, tents to cool us all down,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n Call (239) 283-0888 for more information or visit pineislandchamber.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n