Mango Melee is one of our beloved food festivals on St Croix! It was amazing to see local vendors and some of our favorite non profits representing at this year’s event. The tropical fruit and mango festival took place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the St. George Village Botanical Garden. According to the St. Croix Source, crowds packed into the St. George Village Botanical Garden Sunday for the annual Mango Melee — an event that has become the garden’s largest fundraiser and a community favorite and full day of activities, food, and entertainment. More than 100 local vendors offered a wide array of crafts and cuisine.
Environmental education was also part of the lineup, with the St. Croix Environmental Association sharing information on the role of bats in the local ecosystem. The Children’s Museum and Orchid Society also had booths, and the garden’s nursery featured a special selection of orchids for sale. We always look forward to the Botanical Garden’s nursery sales!
The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center offered puppy cuddles and adoption opportunities. Three adoptable puppies were at the booth, bringing smiles to visitors of all ages.
It would not be the Mango Melee without the famous mango eating contests! Crowd favorites, the children’s and adult mango eating contests had spectators cheering as contestants devoured fruit from large silver bowls. For the winners and more on the event, read the full St Croix Source article here.
Photos courtesy of St Croix Source, credit to Linda Morland
It’s Chris and Christie Powers, your St Croix Realtor team. We are happy to share the latest sales data, inventory, and days on market for the St. Croix, USVI real estate market. Here is few quick highlights about June’s data:
There were 20 new home listings and 17 homes sold. Both of these numbers are higher compared the same period last year.
There were 15 new condo listings. Although there were only 4 sold listings, the number of total condos sold year-to-date in 2025 is up 16% compared to same period a year ago.
Download the Coldwell Banker St Croix real estate market reports for each category: Homes & Condos, Condos, Homes, and Land to see all the details!
We are Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and have the experience and local knowledge to help you in every step of the process. We will help you narrow down neighborhoods based on your priorities. Whether you are searching for a starter home or a forever home, we will also advise you on the market trends in your desired neighborhoods. Let us help you find your dream home. Contact Chris and Christie! Luxury real estate, residential real estate, condominiums, and more — contact us here.
As we reach the reach the half year mark, the U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Department is reporting strong performance across key sectors — including airlift, cruise arrivals, accommodations, cultural events, and global visibility — as the territory continues to establish itself as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic destinations according to the St. Croix Source.
2024 was a record-breaking year in tourism for the USVI and we are excited! 2025 is showing strong mid-year results with increases in air travelers, cruise passenger arrivals and more. For example, the Source reported that air service to the territory continues to expand, with daily nonstop flights now operating between Dallas and St. Thomas. St. Croix will receive new nonstop flights from Chicago later this year. The new American Airlines service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport is scheduled to begin December 6 and will operate on Saturdays, bringing travelers from the midwest to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix.
Read more on St Croix Source here and on Travel Pulse here.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced in early June the successful closing of a $150 million Garvey Bond financing agreement in Miami, Florida that will significantly transform transportation and infrastructure across the U.S. Virgin Islands. The governor shares in a recent press release:
“This is a monumental day for the Virgin Islands,” Governor Bryan said. “The closing of this bond deal means we are now able to break ground on projects that have been years in the making and deliver additional real, tangible improvements to the lives of Virgin Islanders.”
The funding will directly support three critical infrastructure priorities:
The long-awaited ferry service between St. Croix and St. Thomas will now become a reality, reconnecting our islands and opening new pathways for commerce, travel, and unity.
Completion of Veterans Drive Phases 2 and 2A on St. Thomas, a project that will modernize our waterfront and create a safer, more beautiful thoroughfare for residents and visitors alike.
$28 million in road reconstruction and improvement projects on St. Croix, addressing long-standing concerns and making our roads safer and more efficient for everyone.
The Governor’s office also said the Garvee Bond mechanism allows states and territories to leverage future federal highway funds to finance critical infrastructure today — a strategic approach to accelerating growth while maximizing federal investment.
Read more about the deal as reported by the VI Consortium here, and the St Croix Source here.
Senator Gittens advanced a bill to celebrate Ms. Sonya Hough posthumously, praising Ms Hough’s cultural impact as a self-taught artist whose handcrafted hook bracelet became a global symbol of Virgin Islands identity. “If you see someone wearing a hook bracelet anywhere in the world, there’s a strong chance they visited the Virgin Islands,” he noted. Sonya Hough, the original owner of Sonya Ltd., who died on March 6 at the age of 95. According to the St. Croix Source, Ms Hough and her late husband David opened “The Corner Shop,” selling art supplies, batiks, and handmade jewelry. From this foundation, her family opened a storefront in Christiansted, now known as Sonya Ltd, on Company Street which grew into a beloved family business that thrived for over 50 years. Sonya’s legacy lives on through her artistry, most notably the iconic “St. Croix Hook Bracelet,” which has become an enduring symbol of the island.
According to the VI Consortium, Senator Gittens shared that “The Crucian Hook Bracelet has become a powerful symbol of the cultural and artistic spirit of the Virgin Islands. It has elevated the profile of our territory globally and has instilled a deep sense of pride among Virgin Islanders,” Senator Gittens declared. “Her influence can be seen in the many local artisans who followed in her footsteps, inspired by her craftsmanship and vision.”
Though introduced posthumously, the resolution moved forward with unanimous committee support. To read the full article about the bill to honor Ms Hough, click here.
