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
One of St. Croix’s most celebrated events is making a triumphant return for its 24th year! Taste of St. Croix returns on Thursday, April 18th to showcase St. Croix’s culinary scene from a host of restaurants, caterers, private chefs, and other culinary-based businesses throughout the territory. For the past two decades, Taste of St. Croix has uniquely captured the spirit and flavor of St. Croix’s hospitality industry by way of a celebration that is now recognized as one of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ premier food and wine events. Over the course of three hours, guests are welcome to sample a variety of local and international tastings and savor a selection of elegant wines from around the world.
Event Director Collin Hodge has been involved with Taste of St. Croix since its inception in 2001. “I was initially brought on as a consultant for the event and soon after came on board as event coordinator,” said Hodge. In 2022, the event returned to its original location, Divi Carina Bay Resort, after the property reopened following extensive renovations due to devastating damage from 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria. Hodge shared that it feels good to be back home at Divi with Taste, and he looks forward to another successful installment of the event. This year, the event has added a five-course wine dinner as a prelude to the main event. On Wednesday, April 17th, guests can look forward to unique wines from Segura Viudas, Robert Mondavi, Elouan, and Quest, each expertly paired with food tastings courtesy of Grapetree Bay Hotel. Tickets are $250 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, Taste of St. Croix promotes and showcases the talent and potential of St. Croix’s hospitality industry through fostering partnerships, sponsoring training and industry events, and building public awareness of service-industry importance to the socio-economic future of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The 24th Taste of St. Croix will take place on Thursday, April 18th at Divi Carina Bay Resort from 6pm to 9pm. General admission tickets are available for purchase at $125 per person; VIP tickets are officially sold out. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteofstcroix.com.
