Feb. 17, 2007 — Horses, goats, cows and sheep were a hit with young and old at the 36th annual Agriculture and Food Fair on St. Croix, which began Saturday. The initial day of the three-day fair also featured a cultural fashion show and a roast-fish demonstration.
Opening ceremonies began at 10 a.m. with the posting of colors by the St. Croix Central High School Jr. ROTC, followed by the National Anthem, the "V.I. March" and the Black National Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," performed on trumpet by Eddie Russell. The theme of this year's fair is "Make Things Happen: Revive Agriculture in 2007."
"To make things happen requires vision," said UVI President LaVerne E. Ragster.
The AgriFest is jointly sponsored by the V.I. Department of Agriculture, the UVI Cooperative Extension Service and the Department of Tourism.
This fair is a labor of love, said Acting Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Louis Petersen: "This is an example of what we can do when we work together." The fair continues to grow in its appeal and size, he said, thanking fair board member Stafford Crossman and all the employees who labored "with a passion."
As part of its strategic plan, the Agriculture Department is conducting a client survey to gauge public opinion on the agency's perception and response time, Petersen announced. When the survey is repeated, he said, officials hope to see a vast improvement.
A small disturbance came during Gov. John P. deJongh's remarks, in the form of a protester holding a sign decrying the raises given government officials in Act 6905. (See "Emergency Service Workers Take to the Streets in Protest.") A resident asked for the sign to be lowered while the governor spoke, but his request was refused. Eventually one police officer came to talk to the protester. But Territorial Chief Novell Francis intervened, and the protester was allowed to exercise his rights.
The governor endorsed people's rights to protest against issues they do not believe in.
Following the opening ceremonies, the crowd got treated to a "Fair Wear" fashion show. Several young ladies and men dressed in professionally made ensembles, most featuring madras fabric in various shades and colors.
On the other side of the fair grounds, Roderick James stayed busy making roast fish on a galvanized sheet, an art that has all but disappeared from the territory's culture. After a long day at sea, James explained, fishermen would come to shore and roast fish. They would build a fire of green tan-tan and dried wood and set the galvanized sheet on top of a frame.
"The galvanized sheet has to be 'cured' before you use it to roast fish," James said. "You prepare (it) by soaking it in sea water for at least two weeks and then exposing it to fire several times. That kills off the zinc that is bad for your body."
The gutted fish then goes on the sheet to roast. James periodically sprinkled sea water on the roasting fish. "The sea water seasons the fish," he said. In the meantime, a kettle of gravy simmers on the sheet. As the fish get ready, they go in the gravy to cook until done.
The fairgrounds are named for former Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Lawrence W. Lewis. The livestock pavilion is named after Dr. David "Dabie" Martinez, while the Food Pavilion bears the name of Eleanor Pemberton. The Farmers' Market is named after long-time fair contributor Angelin Martinez. Other honorees included Zorida Jacobs and Gerard "Luz" James.
According to Department of Agriculture employees, the fairgrounds has 46 food vendors, 34 refreshment stands, 65 exhibitors, 40 government or non-profit vendors, 50 crops and farmer's market vendors and 30 livestock booths.
Special tents feature presentations by Innovative Communications, WAPA, N&R Electric, the University of the Virgin Islands and the Waste Management Authority.
If you want to learn new things, check out Sunday's demonstration called "Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses," conducted by Lumumba Corriette at 2 p.m., followed by a cake-decorating demonstration by Evannie Jeremiah.
On Monday, learn how to make native fruit ice cream with Clint Ferris at 11 a.m. and get some tips from Lethie Castor on making cassava bread.
The children's cake-decorating competition takes place on Monday at 10 a.m. Children have to bring a cake with a base icing on it and bring all the supplies needed to finish decorating the cake.
Another sweet-treats competition is the chocolate-cake contest, open to everyone. Contestants will submit their cakes from 2 p.m. through closing Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Admission to the fair is $5 for adults, $2 for children and $3 for senior citizens. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
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