The 52nd Agriculture Fair (AgriFest) on St. Croix took place at the Agriculture grounds from February 16 to 19, 2024. It was a delightful occasion as vendors showcased their goods for buyers. People attended the fair to enjoy music, entertainment, competitions, food, and drinks. The event featured interesting community booths showcasing school arts and crafts exhibits, businesses presenting their offerings and information, and government and federal departments displaying their future goals or current community initiatives. They also distributed information and souvenirs and facilitated sign-ups for programs and jobs. The event spanned three days, providing an opportunity for shopping and community engagement from 9 am to 6 pm each day. Entrance fees were $6 for adults, $4 for children, and $5 for senior citizens.
The wide space is adorned with booths and tents, including the barn which hosts various school displays. Children create presentations representing their schools, competing for the best display. Schools also participate in a cooking competition, where children gather ingredients from the barn, and then cook to perfection, tantalizing taste buds. Who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to witness the children in action yourself; it’s an enjoyable spectacle.
The barn boasts a variety of exotic plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and potted trees, inspiring visitors to start their own gardens. Judging the best plants and crops on display adds excitement and supports local farmers’ markets. The highlight of the barn is the mocko jumbie parade, with performers on stilts towering nearly to the ceiling. Looking up in amazement, visitors snap pictures of the festively dressed performers as they dance and spread joy throughout the fairgrounds.
The farm is home to a variety of animals, including rabbits, birds, hens, chicks, roosters, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, and geese. Fish tanks hold a diverse array of fish, from vibrant species to Chinese fighting fish. Puppies are available for adoption, with information provided on how to adopt animals from the shelter. Visitors may pet the animals depending on the farmer’s discretion. Larger animals such as horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, rams, and donkeys are also on display. These animals are available for purchase for those interested in starting their own farm. While it may resemble a zoo, it’s certainly a sight worth seeing.
Some years feature carnival rides for children. This year, however, there were no rides; perhaps they will return next year. Nonetheless, the absence of rides didn’t diminish the fun for children, who instead enjoyed backyard games such as jump rope, hopscotch, double dutch, pin the tail, and racing.
The highlight of the fair is the baker’s barn, where visitors can indulge in a variety of sweets including cakes of different flavors, cookies, ice cream, and local candies such as cotton candy, candy apples, and sweet stews like gooseberry, tamarind, and cherry. Local foods are also available for sale, including plates of food or “pate” for a quick bite to eat. Visitors can also quench their thirst with local drinks made from fruit trees or canned drink mixes.
First-time visitors, how should you prepare for this event?
Please note that only cash payments are accepted, as there are no ATMs available. Most vendors operate on a cash basis, so it’s advisable to bring small bills. Breaking large bills can be difficult due to the nature of transactions and the limited availability of cash back.
Wearing comfortable clothing and footwear is essential for navigating the event grounds, as there will be plenty of walking to view exhibits. Sneakers, slippers, or sandals are recommended, as most walking areas are graveled and uneven.
Given the potentially hot sun and tiring walk, wearing a hat for sun protection is advisable.
It’s also wise to bring an umbrella in case of rain, as there are limited shaded areas. In the event of rain, people often gather under shade areas or small tents, which can become crowded. Bringing your rain protection is recommended.
While there will be limited benches and chairs available, you’re welcome to bring your chair. Shaded areas will be available for cooling off.
Bringing water to stay hydrated is crucial, especially for children. Although there will be drink vendors, they may not offer your preferred beverage, so water is a necessity.
Please be aware that visitors cannot transport plants and food, but they are permitted to travel with tea. Various fruit trees and herbs are collected and prepared in tea bags, allowing visitors to take home St. Croix’s finest herbal teas.
Finally, visitors are encouraged to travel light but may find items of interest to enjoy when they return home. Take home a piece of St. Croix’s memorable souvenirs, including Virgin Island prints, t-shirts, incense, bags, hats, and more.