MangoMania tropical fruit fair this weekend
After months of planning and right in time for harvest season, the annual MangoMania tropical fruit fair will be held at the German American Social Club this weekend.
Sponsored by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, MangoMania runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The German American Social Club is l at 2101 Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
“The purpose of this annual event is to showcase all that Pine Island has to offer and to promote island growers and businesses,” Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Jennings said. “This year’s 2015 event will start off with the singing of the national anthem by ‘Trailer Park Barbie’ and then the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited with the colors being presented by Pine Island American Legion Post 136.”
Attendees will be greeted by 2015 Mango Queen Jonna Bouchard and MangoMania mascot Matt Mango. Bouchard will be running all the kid’s contests and games, such as the hat decorating contest and the hat parade, followed by Mr. Mango Head contest, (where you decorate a mango), Mango juggling, Mango Corn Hole and the ever popular the Hula Hoop contest.
“Last year’s MangoMania was the best in a decade. Clear skies and an over-whelming supply of Pine Island Mangoes,”said Steve Timcak, past president of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce and owner of Island Visions Gallery in a prepared statement. “I worked the Tasting Table during the two-day event, we never stopped cutting mangoes and the people lined up for hours both days. We offered our visitors four to five different varieties of mangoes, we will be offering the same this year. We got mangoes.”
Organizers say “aromas fill the air all day with fresh shrimp, crab cakes, pulled pork, smoked sausage and much more. “
Fresh-cut coconuts and pineapples filled with pineapple juice will be available and those looking for a little extra “kick” can visit Dave and Patty in the beverage area where they can add your favorite shot of rum, Tito’s Handmade Vodka or tequila.
This year’s event will include food and recipe contests, mango games and contests for kids of all ages, food and beverages, mango tropical fruit specialty food and beverages, a free mango tasting table, arts and crafts vendors, gifts, T-shirts, educational talks about tropical plants, palms and much more.
“Check out the main stage on the 18th & 19th around 2:30 p.m. for the famous pie eating contests,” Jennings said. “We had so many entries last year that we were forced to have two different categories this year, one for the kids and one for the adults. The pie eating contests have gotten so popular everyone wants to be a part of it. Last year there were 20 adults signed up for the pie eating contest, so make sure to get your name on the list early, signup will be at the beverage ticket area. It’s a blast for all who participate in it and even for those who watch.”
After a little music and food, there will be time to do some shopping with the local vendors that fill the park: Traders Hitching Post with her unique Native American jewelry, turquoise and silver bracelets all hand crafted; Great Licks Ice Cream with his special recipe of Mango Ice Cream; Paradise Garden with fresh jams and jellies; Olde Fish House Marina, with shrimp tacos and crab cakes; Salt Water Smoke House with barbecue; Cupcake Express, served fresh baked cupcakes right out of the oven; C. W. Fudge Factory, with special flavored popcorn; J.M.C Landscaping with fresh off the tree coconut drinks, mango trees, palms and yard plants; and Pine Island Spice, which sold out in 2014 so get there early.
In all there will be 100-plus vendors participating in MangoMania 2015, organizers said.
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce and the MangoMania Committee has extended a “thank you” to the sponsors of the event – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel; LCEC (Lee County Electric Company); Tarpon Lodge; The News-Press; Ad&PrintCraft Printing, Marketing; Honc Construction; Budweiser (Suncoast Beverages); Pine Island Eagle/Cape Coral Breeze; Hole in One Golf Carts; Garden St. Portables; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Tickets are $5 if purchased in advance and $6 at the gate. Children under 10 years of age are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, located at 3640 Pine Island Road, Matlacha or purchase online at mangomaniafl.com.
For more information contact
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
www.GreaterPineIslandChamber.orgwww.MangoManiaFL.com
239-283-0888