Fruit + Pageantry: Sunday, July 26-Monday, July 27
THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MANGO FESTIVAL (Sunday + Monday)
Celebrating its 10th year, the Antigua and Barbuda Mango Festival is a must for all those who love this fragrant and fleshy fruit. The festival, which takes place at the Botanical Gardens over two days on Sunday and Monday, July 26 and 27, will feature mangoes in all forms of the fruit and also ways in which to utilise mangoes, such as jams, sauces and peppers. Prizes and awards will be received by the winners and participants of the Mango Pineapple Culinary Competition. which was held at the start of July. Individuals attending will have the chance to sample some mangoes and participate or witness mango eating competitions. As well as live music on both days, there will be mango plants available for purchase, and face painting and a bouncy castle available to entertain the kids.
JAYCEES QUEEN SHOW (Sunday)
This year marks the 54th edition of the Jaycees Queen show: Eight intelligent, beautiful and poised delegates from across the Caribbean will elegantly battle each other for the Jaycees crown. The contestants will be judged on four categories, including the crowd-favoured sections of swimwear and evening wear. The reigning Jaycee’s Queen, hails from St. Kitts, however your guess is as good as mine in regards to who will claim the crown this year. The competition will be stiff and this year, and one lucky audience member will have the chance of winning a BMW. Jaycees Queen Show is aimed at “Empowering Women Through Pageantry” and this has got to be one of the most beautiful and entertaining empowerment sessions an individual can witness.
THE SOURCE + SCOTIA BANK TEEN XPLOSION (Monday)
This competition features twelve contestants from eight schools competing in performing arts, personal achievements, a research presentation and a question and answer segment. This pageant is aimed at both males and females from a mixture of local educational institutes and is a forum for schools in Antigua and Barbuda to showcase students who have an interest in performing arts and are interested in training to assist their educational, elocutionary and social development. This pageant is credited with “breeding” youth ambassadors within Antigua and Barbuda.