MangoMania Saturday at Winn-Dixie on Pine Island
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce’s MangoMania 2026, Pine Island’s Tropical Fruit Fair, will be held this Saturday, July 11, at the Winn-Dixie Plaza, 9940 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. The special event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to CPICC Board Member Cynthia Welch, MangoMania is a celebration of all things mango related, bringing together both farmers and enthusiasts to enjoy the bounty of this beloved fruit and Pine Island. If you have a passion for mangoes or just want to have a fun day out with family and friends, Welch said, be sure to mark your calendar for MangoMania because It’s an experience, she’s certain, you won’t want to miss.
“Our whole mission is to help our members and promote our island with everything we do through specific events, but, we also do it in a multitude of other ways,” Welch said.
Some of the festival features include tropical plants, trees and fruit for sale; planting seminars; mango recipe contests; biggest mango contest; live music, mango and tropical fruit food; adult beverages; and arts, crafts and island businesses. A $5 donation is appreciated on your way in to benefit island businesses.
MangoMania will be showcasing local entertainment beginning at 9 a.m. with DJ Kitty, who will be playing some great tunes to get the day started. At 2 p.m., Brother Love will be live on stage.
“This is specifically exciting, in that, this is the 30th year for MangoMania. We’ve gone through various changes over time. We’ve added things, we’ve taken things away, but the core of the festival is promoting our island and our chamber members. That has remained unchanged,” Welch said.
Welch said they try very purposefully to have something that appeals to everybody at each mango event. She said you can also join the fun in the event contests, such as, do you have “Pine Islands Biggest Mango?” Weigh in starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Biggest Mango Tent.
Recipe contests sign in is between 9 and 11 a.m. Sign in and drop off your mango bread, dessert, jams, salsa or condiments at the Food Contest Tent. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. See the chamber website for a full list of contest categories.
Make your own Mr. Mango Head (Mr. Potato Head but with mango). Fun for kids of all ages, going on all day in the Kids area.
Seminar Schedule:
• 10:30 a.m. — Stephen Cucura of Fruitscapes: History of Mango on Pine Island
• 11:30 a.m. — Jay Reynolds of The Grove from the Old Tree House nursery: Cold protection for Mango Plants
• 1 p.m. — Har Mahdeem: Grafting Mango Trees
• 2 p.m. — Tim Watkins of Eco Vision: How to design a mini food forest garden
“This year, one of the exciting things we’ve added are misting fans with cooling water, tents to cool us all down,” Welch said.
Call (239) 283-0888 for more information or visit pineislandchamber.org.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC, please email pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com