NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 03, 2023)- Thousands of patrons descended on the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park on Sunday, July 02 for the finale event of Nevis Mango Festival 2023, making the ninth edition the largest ever.
Premier of Nevis Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Tourism in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), hailed “For the Love of Mangoes” a huge success, despite logistical challenges.
“This year’s edition of the Nevis Mango Festival saw a record turnout at our final “For the Love of Mangoes” event at the MGR Park on Sunday. The thousands who attended evidenced the excellent efforts of the marketing team for this year’s event. We thank all who came out to support the event including those who traveled from St. Kitts and farther afield to be with us.
“However the large turnout led to logistical challenges which impacted the quality of the event for many patrons. I join the Nevis Tourism Authority in expressing to our public our sincere regret for these challenges. We are undertaking an urgent post mortem to identify and correct deficiencies and we look forward to a much bigger and better Mango Festival for our 10th anniversary in 2024. The Nevis Mango Festival remains the premier food festival in the Caribbean and we shall ensure that we continue to deliver a spectacular event to our patrons.”
Over 30 local chefs showcased their culinary genius with mango-infused creations, while local entrepreneurs offered a variety of mango-based food and skin care products. Team Nevis, comprising two chefs-Margaret and Joseph- from the Four Seasons Resort, defeated the team from Barbados to be declared the winner of the chefs competition. Celebrity chef Tayo Ola led the panel of judges for the competition. Live entertainment from folklore groups added a cultural beat to the festive event.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew attended the event, sampling dishes and engaging with patrons. He posted to social media “The vibe is at the Mango Festival in Nevis”. Minister of Tourism in the Federal Government, Hon. Marsha Henderson, also journeyed to Nevis for the event.
Mr. Devon Liburd, NTA Chief Executive Officer, said the turn out was far greater than anticipated, a sign that the Nevis Mango Festival is growing in terms of its appeal.
“We were hoping and planning for a large crowd but not a crowd like this. We were trying to make sure everything was in place because we knew from the advertising we did and the ticket sales that it was going to be a big event, but we surpassed all boundaries.
“I’m very pleased looking back at where we came from and the growth over the years. I can finally say that Mango Festival has taken off. This year has proven that the whole of St. Kitts and Nevis is turned on to the Nevis Mango Festival.”
The NTA intends to begin planning early for Nevis Mango Festival’s 10th anniversary in 2024 to ensure even greater patron experience.
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