Nov. 15, 2006 — The grounds of UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts will be alive this weekend with the 24th annual St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair, running Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And this year theres something different: the World Wide Web will be a featured guest.
Louis Petersen, with UVI's Cooperative Extension Service, said, "Along with all our other exhibits, we will be showing people how to go to certain websites to get self-help on problems related to agriculture, such as insect control. We will show them how to download pictures and access the websites."
Of course, the fair also will be brimming with all the good things it is known for pies, cakes, fresh eggs, all manner of produce, pates and plants. The aisles will be filled with jams, jellies, stewed pork, maubi and other local drinks, sweetbreads, tarts and pumpkins.
That is to say nothing of hot sauces, soaps, little lambs, peacocks, locally made jewelry and a seasonal addition: a live, before-your-eyes demonstration of how to carve a turkey "the proper way," as Petersen said.
Opening ceremonies are at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Jr. ROTC presenting the colors, local dignitaries speaking and the Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers providing the music.
The UVI extension service, which hosts the event, will hold a variety of interactive exhibits. Petersen said, "We want people to bring specimens of plants they are having insect problems with. They should bring them in ziplock bags, and we will diagnose the problem."
And there will also be practical advice. Petersen said the UVI staff will show a series of products that people can use to remedy problems. "A sort of a show and tell," he said, "so people will know what to look for at the store."
If you get tired of walking around gazing at the UVI exhibits, grab a tart or a pate and a few good friends, sit and relax and listen to the music. Theres almost nonstop entertainment lined up for the two days.
The Encore Band will play Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by the BC B group, and DJ Franklin Benjamin spinning discs when entertainment isnt on stage.
Sunday, the accordion music of Oleic Ledee will start things off at 10 a.m., followed by the Seventh Day steel orchestra at 10:30 a.m., the Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra at 1 p.m., Pure Passion Band and the Cultural Heritage Dancers at 3:30 p.m.
Admission is $2 for adults, and $1 for children under 12. For more information, call the UVI extension service at 693-1080.
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