39th Annual AgFair
This year the 39th Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair opens at the Fair Grounds on Centerline Road on Saturday, February 13, for three days. The Agfair draws participants and visitors from as far south as Guyana to Puerto Rico to the mainland. Our sister islands of St. Thomas and St. John and the BVI also come over.
The Opening Ceremony, on the first day, recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the fair in the past and have the Farmer's Market, Food Pavilion, and Livestock Pavilion named after them. The ceremony culminates with the presentation of the Crop and Livestock Farmer of the Year awards before the cutting of the ribbon at the entrance to the Farmers' Market.
Fairgoers can find plants, fruit trees, ornamentals, and herbs, vegetables and fruits plus cattle, goat, sheep, chickens, pigeons, and other poultry and birds, rabbits, pigs, and an emu (a large Australian flightless bird over 4 feet tall). All the native dishes and local drinks can be found at the Food Pavilion and the refreshment booths. Anyone who wants to get an insight into Cruzan cuisine should come to the Agfair!
Exhibitors Booths showcase African print cloth and clothing, locally made jewelry, sandals, toys, fragrance, hats, bags, arts and crafts, belts, and more. Rides and games keep the children occupied. The famous Soul Train provides a slow, sightseeing ride throughout the day, for a small fee, taking fairgoers from one location to the next.
If you have a friend that you have not seen in a while, you stand an excellent chance of seeing them at the Agfair! Make reservations early because during the fair all rooms and car rentals are booked full. Adults get in for $5 while children and seniors get in for $3. There is handicapped parking.
The Virgin Island Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service are the primary sponsors of the fair.
