Festival is Dedicated to All Things Mango

With mango tasting, pie eating and an appearance by her majesty the Mango Queen, thousands this weekend will celebrate all things mango.

MangoMania is making its 15th appearance Saturday and Sunday.

The tropical fruit festival, which is hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, draws 11,000 people each year, according to Jennifer Jennings, the chamber's chairperson for the event.

Vendors line the German American Social Club, 2101 Pine Island Rd., with mango ice cream, mango hot sauce, and savory and sweet mango treats.

Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens will serve a mango julius, Paradise Gardens will supply mango jams, jellies and chutney and Pine Island restaurants will set up tents and serve crab cakes, ice cream and other items. There will also be mango-related wares, Jennings said.

Melissa Koferl, this year's Mango Queen, said the festival is all about the green and orange hued fruit.

"(We're) trying to promote mangoes and the mango growers," Koferl said.

MangoMania features a mango tasting station where visitors can sample different varieties for free. Other tropical fruits such as lychees and starfruit will make appearances at the festival. Educational talks about growing mangoes and native plants occur throughout each day. Koferl said to check the program guide for times.

Doug Flowerree, owner of the Mango Factory, a 25-acre mango plantation in Bokeelia, said Pine Island mangoes are unique from the supermarket variety because of the tropical microclimate the area enjoys.

"If they've gotten mangoes from the grocery store they don't know what mangoes look like," Flowerree said.

He said his mangoes are sweet and each variety has a unique taste. Flowerree sells seven types of mangoes but Valencia Pride, Kent and Keitt mangoes are his best sellers.

Flowerree will staff a booth at the tasting table during the festival on Saturday and answer any questions about mangoes.

"This year there is a pretty abundance of mangoes. There will be a lot to try," Flowerree said.

The festival will also offer a recipe contest. The contest has amateur and professional categories.

"We've had everything from mango coleslaw to mango dumplings," Koferl said.

All entries must contain mango. The amateur competition judges mango desserts, preserves, breads and marinades. The professional competition judges restaurant appetizers, entrees and desserts.

The tropical fruit festival is not just about eating mangoes, it's also about having fun with the fruit.

MangoMania features a crazy hat parade daily at noon. Participants dress up their hats with the wildest mango colors and silly accessories and strut their stuff to the delight of festival visitors.

Kids can climb a rock roll, jump in a bounce house and play other games such as Mr. Mango Head, a play on Mr. Potato Head, and mango toss during the two-day event.

Jennings said the festival is an event for the whole family and will highlight local music and dance acts.

"We're having Soap Box playing, Stringtown and in between the breaks we have the Arthur Murray Dance Troupe, our famous Hot Flash dancers and the Calendar Girls," Jennings said.

There is always something to do at the festival.

"I believe it's a one of a kind experience," Jennings said. "If you love mangoes in any which way, this is where you'll find it."