Mango Magic: Annual fruit fest to be held May 24-26

Agat Village has got a lovely bunch of mangos – and they will be showcased in all their splendor at the 13th Annual Agat Mango Festival on May 24-26.

We’re talking about a variety of Guam’s favorite fruit, ranging from piko mangos and banana mangos to Saipan mangos. There’s also a mango run, a biggest mango contest, as well as the crowning of the best mango dessert.

Mango season usually starts around March when mango trees begin bearing this island-favorite fruit, which starts off green and ripens into rich yellow, red or even golden orange colors by late May to early June.

The festival will allow visitors to see and taste a wide variety of different mangoes on the island, as well as different mango creations, including smoothies and doughnuts.

Festivities actually kick off the week before the main event with the annual 2k/5k Mango Festival Run/Walk on May 18. The signup fee is $10 per runner and $35 for a family of four if you register before race day ($15/person on day of race). Refreshments, giveaways and t-shirts (as supplies last) will be handed out after the run.

Then the following weekend brings three full days – from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday – of live entertainment by local talent, contests, giveaways, prizes, demonstrations and activities for young and old alike at Agat Village’s Sagan Bisita, adjacent community center, Agat Mayor’s Office and Post Office.

You’ll see booths with the variety of mangoes grown in the village and throughout the island.  Individuals and groups will vie for the best mango display and mango vendor booth. The official judging and declaration of the island’s biggest - smallest, the most beautiful and the most bizarre – mango of 2019 also will take place.

There will be many other unique contests at the festival as well.

In addition to entering your own culinary creations in the mango dessert contest, you can pit the taste and presentation of your cooked dishes that use mango and other mystery ingredients against others in the chopped mango cook-off.

Spectators will be able to get in on the act by participating in workshops on such topics as pickling mangos, blending mango smoothies and making mango doughnuts. You’ll also see mango plants and a variety of tropical plants from various nurseries.

Agat farmers also produce a plethora of varieties: Hawaiian mangos, piko mangos, banana mangos, carabao mangos, apple mangos, Malaysian mangos, Saipan mangos and peach mangos, to name a few.

That doesn’t even include a near-infinite number of crossbreeds – many of which will be showcased, sold and/or available for sampling at the festival.

Firework displays on May 24 and May 26 highlight the festival.

There’s no need to worry about parking too far from the event. Just look for the special golf carts that will be roaming the vicinity ferrying visitors to and from parking areas (Marcial A. Sablan Elementary School) and the festival grounds. So don’t miss this opportunity to have a mango of a good time.

takiguchi.takahiro@stripes.com

Mango Fest events

May 18 (Sat.)
2k/5k Mango Run/Walk

Agat Mayor’s Office Start and Finish
5 – 6 a.m. Registration and warm up
6 a.m. Start

Route:
The Route for the run starts and ends at the Agat Mayor’s office. The 5k half way point is at the Agat Marina Bay. 
This route is mostly flat with a slight incline and declination near the start and end point. The 2k run/walk is less than half this distance and is good for families with children and senior citizens. Water points and guides will be available to help runners/walkers navigate the courser along with markers.

Registration:
- Pre-Registration Location and Schedule:
Pre-register at Agat Mayor’s Office during regular work day
Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Preregistration fee is $10 for individuals and $35 for a family of four.
- Race Day Registration: On race-day starting at 5 a.m. proceed to the registration table.
Registration fee on race day is $15 per person.

Winners Acknowledgment:
- Categories: Youth (13 & Below), Junior (14-19), Open (20-29), SubMaster (30-39), Master (40-49), Senior (50-59), Grand Master (60-69), Manamko (70 & Up) 

Prize & Giveaways:
Refreshments, Prizes, Giveaways & T-shirt distribution (while supplies last)

May 24 (Fri.)

6 – 6:30 p.m. Bendision · Posting of Colors National Anthem/Guam Hymn and Opening Remarks 
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. 2019 Gada’ · Masa Mango Festival Coronation
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Joe Guam 
9:30 – 10 p.m. Guma’ Nina’en Acho Latte 
10 p.m. Fire Works

May 25 (Sat.)

10 – 11 a.m. JAM 
10 – 11 a.m. Judging of Mango Entries / Dessert Contest & Booth Contest
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.    
Ya Mon Serious!
Jamaican Grill’s Chopped Mango Culinary Competition 
12:30 – 1 p.m. Judging & Award Ceremony
Noon  – 1 p.m. Malakhim
1 – 2 p.m. Joe Garrido
2 – 3 p.m. Biggah&Bettah
3 – 4 p.m. Templata
4 – 6 p.m. MCS Phoenix Stage Band
6 – 6:30 p.m. Inetnon Gef Pa’go
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Maseha Hafa 
7:30 – 9 p.m. Guma’ Fuetsan Acho’ Latte, Tulu Na Napu
9 – 10 p.m. James Salapehu from Tinian
10 p.m. DJ Play

May 26 (Sun.)

10 – 11 a.m. Royal Court Parade with the Aklan Association Drummers
11 – 12 p.m. Awards Ceremony for Mango Entries, Dessert Contest and Booth Contest
Noon – 2 p.m. Ben Nangauta
2 – 3 p.m. Strangers with Candy 
3 – 4 p.m. Island Kaiz
4 – 5 p.m. Biggah&Bettah
5 – 5:30 p.m. Talent Box
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Precious Metal
7:30 – 830 p.m. Drawing of Prizes and Give-aways
8:30 – 9 p.m. Guma Nina’en Acho Latte 
9 – 10 p.m. Guma Nina’en Acho Latte 
10 p.m. Fire Works

For more information, call the Agat Mayor’s Office at 565-2524