ST CROIX — One of the most anticipated events of the year has returned for its 52nd installment here on St. Croix. The ever-popular Agriculture & Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands, also known as Agrifest, is a 3-day festival that attracts attendees from all over the world to the island to experience everything rooted in agriculture, from locally grown fruits and vegetables to livestock, arts and crafts, and local cuisine.
Over President’s Day weekend, Saturday the 17th through Monday the 19th, the 2024 Agrifest will take place at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex in Estate Lower Love. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Our Future and So Much More in 2024.” Agriculture stands as the cornerstone of the future of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, offering a pathway toward sustainable development, food security, and economic resilience in the face of global challenges. With our fertile lands, diverse ecosystems, and the growing demand for locally sourced produce, investing in our agriculture not only promises to bolster the region’s economy but also ensures the preservation of its cultural heritage and environmental resources for generations to come.
At the center of the rich, cultural experiences of St. Croix’s AgriFest are the four Fs: food, fun, family, and friends. Entry onto the fairgrounds immediately activates all the senses, from the wide array of fascinating sights to the enticing smells that welcome visitors with enthusiastic delight. Head to the west side of the fairgrounds to the main exhibition hall where the farmers market is held. Here attendees will see an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and spices, with a variety of plants on display and many available for sale. Several exhibits sponsored by local schools, youth groups, the USVI Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can also be found.
The fun activities for Agrifest-goers are endless! The livestock exhibits include close encounters with goats, chickens, rabbits, and peacocks, plus a quick stop at the petting zoo offers up-close-and-personal time with island wildlife. Attending with little ones? Let them ride a donkey or enjoy one of the many thrilling carnival rides for an extra dose of fun. Your ears are in for a sweet-sounding treat thanks to the melodic tunes from local musicians performing throughout the day. With diverse informational booths around the fairgrounds, festivalgoers are guaranteed to learn something new about agriculture-focused topics.
The main event of Agrifest is none other than the food! Local delicacies abound — one-pot dishes of kallaloo, red peas soup, and crab and rice; sweet treats such as gooseberry and tamarind stews, tamarind balls, Vienna cake, and butter cookies; and hearty plates of roast pork, stew chicken, and conch in butter sauce with the beloved Crucian trimmings of season rice, baked macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and potato stuffing. The perfect complement to your meal is a tall glass of local fruit juice like tamarind, bush tea lemonade, ginger beer, peanut punch, or passion fruit. Prepare to fill your bellies with mouthwatering Crucian dishes!
Come celebrate the 52nd annual VI Agrifest from February 17th to 19th. Admission is $6 adults, $5 seniors, and $4 kids 12 and under; 3-day passes are available for $12 adults, $10 seniors, and $8 kids 12 and under. The fair will be open daily from 9am to 6pm. For more information, visit www.viagrifest.org.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard
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