A carnival of the senses greeted the hundreds of folks who came out Saturday for the first day of the 16th annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agricultural and Cultural Food Fair.
It was a heady occasion for the hard-working farmers who have toiled for years to see this day – the first official event in their spanking new Estate Bordeaux Market, dedicated earlier in the week. This year’s theme is "New Market; A New Scene! Support Bordeaux Farmers 2013."
Dressed in bright yellow shirts and big smiles, the veteran St. Thomas All Stars Steel Band’s kept the morning fairgoers’ feet tapping with their infectious energy. They day was filled with entertainment; the band was followed by skits, storytelling, award ceremonies, song and dance.
Farmer of the year Eldridge "Sparks" Thomas likely said it best as he looked around the market, with its freshly painted green stalls staffed with farmers offering their bounty. Spreading his arms at the green surrounding him, he said, "Look, you gotta’ be happy. We get to grow this. Look at this, it grows all around us, farmers have to be happy, have to smile."
And smile the six foot something farmer did, attracting fans from tots to adults, all eager to thank him for his contributions to the farming community. Thomas, who was honored during the afternoon ceremony, is president of We Grow Food, the farmers cooperative which transformed the old Bordeaux tennis courts into a farmer’s’ market in the early ’90s, bringing it back after Hurricane Marilyn.
Three WGF stalwarts – Benita and Jambie Samuel and Vickie Palmer – were beyond busy Saturday. Benita tended the produce stand piled high with fat bunches of collards greens and kale and round fresh tomatoes. Between trouble shooting duties, Jambie Samuel tended the steaming clay pots of his famous pumpkin soup, Palmer tended the Vicky Palmer Youth & Family Activity Center, where dozens of kids were doing everything from making picture frames to planting sprouts in clay pots, coloring and learning jewelry making.
Anna Francis, longtime science teacher at Addelita Cancryn Junior High and founder of the Environmental Rangers, helped out with the kids activities, always with an eye to educating youngsters on the environment.
"Environment affects culture, and when students participate in art related to the environment it is a way for them to enjoy and appreciate nature," she said.
And the food was glorious. You couldn’t take a step without being tempted by the heady aromas. Pumpkin soup, mushroom garlic soup, bright red vegetarian chili, mango oatmeal cookies, pumpkin johnnycakes from St. Croix, spicy veggie pates, veggie roti, breads – pumpkin, cranberries, guava – everything was on hand, from a simple tamarind stew to falafel fritters, brown rice, and steaming collard greens.
Culinary advice abounded.
"Oh, did you try the roasted cauliflower?" "No, too spicy." "Then, try the ginger beet ice cream." "Can’t. I’m still filling up on peanut punch.”
Some people munched on things they’d never before tasted, comparing notes. Visitors Dick and Lee Honig from Michigan marveled over their finds.
"This is wonderful, we’ve never been here before," they said in unison. They said somebody in a Pueblo market told them of today’s event. "Thank heavens," they said, while munching on fresh sugar cane, a pate and some veggie chili. "This is great," Dick Honig said, "so much flavor and no meat."
The fair is strictly vegan, raw food and drink. Maubi, carrot juice, sweet honey drinks, kale smoothies, fresh ginger drinks. You get it – if it can be blended into submission, it can be drunk.
After you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, should that happen, there’s a lot of stuff to do – broom making demonstrations with Justin Todman, Ital dubbin using a yaba pot, fruit and vegetable grafting or bee keeping.
If you’re still curious, the V.I. Energy Office offered information about energy conservation, while WAPA followed suit with displays of how meters work, energy saving tips, crayons for the kiddies and disposable bags for adults.
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 during the day, with children accompanied by an adult entering free. Admission is $10 after sundown, when there will be a live reggae concert featuring Unity Band, Inner Vision Sister Joyce, Harry Mo and perhaps the highlight; St.Thomas’s Midnite Band.
