Preparations under way for annual St. Croix Agriculture and Food Fair
Published: February 4, 2013
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
ST. CROIX - The pinwheels and banners are being mounted on the fence of the Agriculture Complex in Lower Love, a sure indication that the 2013 Agrifest Celebration is just weeks away.
With the theme, "Agriculture: Grow, Eat and Live," things are falling into place for this year's St. Croix Agriculture Food Fair, which will take place Feb. 16-18.
V.I. Agriculture Department employees, along with a group of inmates were hanging the colorful plastic pinwheels and banners on the perimeter fencing of the fairgrounds along Queen Mary Highway and Upper Love Road Friday, alerting resident that preparations are under way.
The three-day fair, which attracts more than 30,000 people during its course, is the biggest display of locally grown produce and livestock as well as cultural foods and homemade drinks in the region.
Held in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands Corporate Extension Service, this is the fair's 42nd year.
According to the Ag Fair website, vendors from St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Guyana and across the U.S and British Virgin Islands already have signed up to show their wares at the fair. Residents from many of those islands also will be coming just to enjoy the event.
Fairgoers will be able to find food, drinks, pastries, locally made candies, artwork, crafts, furniture, woodwork, clothes, shoes, leather goods, hats, toys, jewelry, flags, produce, plants, incense and oils and music.
The decorations have made the grounds more festive. Minor repairs also are being made to booths and pavilions, and the grounds are being manicured to ensure that it is safe and clean for fairgoers.
The Ag Fair poster designed by local photographer Clarice Clarke, is a collage of fruit and vegetable, cultural dancers, livestock, farmers and other aspects that contribute to the total fair experience. Residents already have started posting some of the posters around their offices, stores, schools and other buildings on the island.
The fair features a farmers market, a food pavilion, the livestock pavilion and dozens of exhibition booths, live entertainment and a children's play area. Other favorites, such as an old-fashioned country store, fair wear competition and a kid's corner will also be a part of the excitement.
The fair typically costs an estimated $110,000 and is funded in part by sponsorship from local businesses and corporations, with some costs defrayed through in-kind services from the university and the local government.
The fair begins with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 and continues daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Daily admission is $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children.
For more information and details about Agrifest 2013, visit www.viagrifest.org or call 778-0997
- Contact reporter Fiona Stokes at 714-9149 or email fstokes@dailynews.vi.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
