Feb. 28, 2007 — Organizers of the 36th annual Agriculture and Food Fair announced on Wednesday the names of its Farmers Market, Food Fair, youth activities, livestock and FairWear competition winners .
More than 200 individuals and groups were eligible for awards, and more than 80 first-place awards were handed out to participants for excellence in their categories.
Youth in grades four through 12 participated in poetry, essay and poster contests. Each contest was based on an interpretation of the fair's theme, "Make Things Happen! Revive Agriculture in 2007."
First-place awards were handed out to the winners in three levels: elementary, junior high and high school.
The winners in the poster contest were Gilbert Francis of Juanita Gardine Elementary School, Jessica Gaston of Arthur A. Richards Junior High and Jose Figueroa III of Manor School.
Winners in the poetry contest were Wilfredo Perez (Juanita Gardine School), Duran Thomas (St. Patrick's School) and Amal Hamed (Manor School).
Essay contest winners were Mikeima Samuel (Alfredo Andrews Elementary School), and Rokeyah Connor and Lorie Jeffers, both of Manor School. Other awards were given to second- and third-place finishers.
The educational exhibits, located in the Farmers Market building, showcased displays by more than 30 island schools. Awards were given in three categories with Ricardo Richards Elementary, Elena Christian Junior High and St. Joseph's High taking top honors.
The cultural cuisine found at the fair is one of the event's major draws. Each year the best cooks on the islands converge and compete to have the honor of being named "best cook" in their category.
This year first-place awards went to Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal for her roast pork, Rita Chiverton for her stew goat, the Friedensfeld Moravian Church for their souse and Eleanor Sealey for her red pea soup.
Awards were also given out for best dessert, including traditional lasenger, coconut tarts and papaya candy.
This year the hotly contested chocolate cake contest was won by Keith Richards, with Ellen Murraine and Sue Lakos following in second- and third-place, respectively.
For the complete list of winners click here .