Produce, livestock and arts and crafts will be on full display at the St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 6, at the grounds of UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas. The theme for this year’s fair is “Farm Today for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
The opening ceremony of the fair, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, is dedicated to the memory of Gene Emanuel, the University of the Virgin Islands long-time professor who died in July. Prof. Emanuel was a staunch supporter of agriculture and served as the fair’s master of ceremony for at least the past 10 years. During the ceremony, members of the Agriculture and Food Fair Planning Committee will make a check presentation to the Emanuel family to support the Gene Emanuel Scholarship at UVI. Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr., V.I. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Louis Petersen, Jr. and UVI President Dr. David Hall will all make remarks during the opening ceremony.
The UVI Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program will conduct a food drive on both days. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned and dried food items to contribute to the food drive. The food collected will be donated to the Catholic Charities and Salvation Army.
The Agriculture Fair will have the usual delights of fresh produce, plants, arts and crafts, and food on sale. This year will feature a demonstration of the “Quick Tank” Aquaculture Systems, developed at UVI, that grow tilapia fish while producing plants. There will also be displays about container gardening. Composing workshops and tree grafting demonstrations are also planned. A livestock area will feature some of the territory’s prized and unique animals.
Entertainment will include music by DJ Ubba, Ah We Band, the Gladys A. Abraham School Cultural Choir and dancing by the St. Thomas Heritage Dancers. Children’s games will be held daily from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Entrance fees are $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12 years.
The St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair is sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service and the V.I. Department of Agriculture, with support from Fintrac.