St. Croix celebrated its 41 annual
Agricultural Fair this past President's weekend. Its always been one
of my favorite activities of the year and i partook 2 out of the 3
days it was on. i think the reason i enjoy it so much is the food is
always fabulous; how could it not be when everyone is competing to
win first prize in their specialties.
All sorts of different bands showed up
to grace the stages, you had steel pans playing by the duck pond, reggae, quelbe and Heritage Dancers performing on the big stage and
smaller bands and performers doing their magic on the third stage.
You'd see people you hadn't seen in ages bopping along to the music
or sitting in the prepared chairs under the tents seat dancing.
Schmoozing at the fair becomes an art
form if you have come with a friend or relative. Time slows down as
you get reacquainted with those you haven't seen in ages and it can
be your turn to wait while your partner chats or their turn to wait
while you chat. It can take hours to get from one end of the fair to
the other. Most everyone is happy as the kids and grownups have
booths tending to their needs. When you get tired a trip over to the
yellow tables under the mango trees will get you out of the sun and
give you a chance to rest your bones and eat some food.
i have never been at the fair when the
line for Armstrong's ice cream doesn't stretch out both sides of the
van and inside the food building more lines await as you salivate
over the delicious smells; trying to make your mind up how many
things you will try this year can be daunting. i always like to cruise all the booths looking at the ribbons before i decide where to eat. More time for chatting is always
available as you wait for the ladies so colorfully dressed to dish out your food.
Over at the west end of the fair
produce and plant vendors are set up waiting to sell you this seasons
crops. More lines and more chatting as you wend your way up and down
the aisles trying to find that plant that will fit perfectly in the
empty spot waiting at home. Schools display their projects and
ribbons grace the winners booths. Parents and past parents check
their kids schools to see how they did.
But this year there was a gaping hole
in the plant building. The section Hovensa usually takes over to
display its contribution to the island was empty. It was strange
passing it and not seeing Hovensa workers handing out goodies to
hoards of kids after they had passed some test they had to do first. i think this was my first real physical indication that they are on
the way out. i have to say it was sad not to see them there.
Back outside the animals did their
thing. The cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens, birds and turtles
waited in their pens or cages to be gawked at by adults and children
alike. No one can pass them by and not see something to touch their
heart. In the petting area the looks on children's faces when they
picked up a rabbit or stroked a chick was enough to make my day.
i ate, schmoozed, watched and strolled
and can't wait to do it again next year.
See ya next week.
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