It’s time again this weekend to head out to the rolling green hills of Bordeaux and spend a relaxing day sampling the island’s finest bounty of fresh produce at the 14th annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agricultural and Cultural Food Fair.
For years, the Bordeaux family of farmers, the collective We Grow Food Inc., has worked to make this weekend something very special, bringing a unique energy to the island.
The farmers work all year long, with a monthly market on the last Sunday, but the annual fair is their time to shine. It brings out the pride of all their toil and provides a chance to celebrate the year’s bounty.
And it never disappoints. Each year seems more bountiful than the last: sorrel piled high, pumpkins, plantains, sweet peppers, just-picked basil dripping with dew, mounds of collard greens, cucumber, papaya, and much, much more.
This last year has been a difficult one for the farming community, with last fall’s relentless rains all but washing out carefully tended crops. In fact, for only the second time in its 27-year history, the rains caused the cancellation of the St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair, according to Carlos Robles, University of the Virgin Islands extension specialist and fair vice president.
However, the farmers are a hardy lot, and this year’s fair is ready and waiting to serve tasty and nourishing treats.
The Ital Dub Masters will offer savory dishes like breaded cauliflower, seasoned brown rice, lentil balls, baked tofu and, of course, the traditional pumpkin soup will be steaming out Jambie’s cook pot.
Those curious to see how this bounty came to be can take a farm tour, led by the farmers throughout the two days. Agricultural demonstrations—including beekeeping, drip irrigation, fruit grafting and terracing—will be interspersed throughout the fair.
There’s practically something for everyone over the two days: art, jewelry, crafts, all with the background of the wonderful aromas of freshly cooked food wafting throughout.
Farmer of the year Ingrid Powell James will be honored at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the opening ceremonies. James, who has farmed for more than 20 years, is the mother of four boys and two girls. She is married to Eustace Kamahoo James, a previous Farmer of the Year recipient.
The Fair runs from 10 a.m to 10 p.m each day. There is plenty of free parking on the road, which leads to the old Bordeaux Tennis Courts, where the event is traditionally held.
Admission is $3 for adults, with children admitted free.
The fair is sponsored by the Department of Tourism, V.I. Lottery, Financial Trust Co., Department of Agriculture, Sea Chest, MSI Building Supply, Arians Bar & Grille and the Inter Island Coalition.
The event schedule is as follows.
SATURDAY:
9 a.m. – DJ
10 a.m. – Opening Prayer/ Welcoming Remarks
10:30 a.m. – All Stars Steel Band
12:30 p.m. – DJ
1:30 p.m. – Official Opening Ceremony / Farmer of the Year
2 p.m. – DJ WordSound
3 p.m. – Ras Abijah & Company band
5 p.m. – Afrikan Modeling Display
6 p.m. – Young Ace John Doe
6:30 p.m. – Smokey B & The Vi Rebels
7:15 p.m. – Mada Nile & Fyah Train Band
SUNDAY:
9 a.m. – DJ
10 a.m. – Opening Prayer/ Welcoming Remarks
10:30 a.m. – Ife Ni Joe Afrikan Drummers
12:30 p.m. – DJ
1:30 p.m. – Official Opening Ceremony
2 p.m. – DJ WordSound
3 p.m. – Exodus Band
3:30 p.m. – DJ WordSound
4 p.m. – Pablo P& Roots & Reality Band
5 p.m – DJ WordSound
6 p.m. – Jahyan
6:30 p.m. – Gideon Rebel
7 p.m. – Genaral & Iyah Lion Band
ACTIVITIES FOR BOTH DAYS:
FARM AND DAM TOURS (Including drip irrigation & terracing demos.)
11 a.m. & 3 p.m. with Sparks. Tours of five or more may be arranged with Sparks at booth #22)
