Mangos Take Center Stage Sunday in Keauhou

Fresh, delicious Hawai`i Island-grown Mangos will be the featured item of the day from noon to 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa this Sunday.

The 6th annual mango fest will have on display many varieties of locally grown mangos showcased in a variety of horticultural and culinary activities, and festival attendees will enjoy a wide array of “mangolicious” treats and smoothies offered by local vendors, said a festival release.

Local home chefs will be creating mango salads, entrees and desserts for the amateur recipe contest for which there will be a “Peoples’ Choice” award, and visitors may also bring a mango recipe eligible for prizes from Choicemart and Island Natural stores. See recipe entry details on Facebook at Big Island Mango Festivals.

Harold Moodie will make a presentation on grafting mangos. Grafted trees will be for sale.

The West Hawaii Master Gardeners will provide free advice for home gardeners at a question-and-answer booth, and Mark Suiso of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association will offer info about and provide sample of many of the varieties of mangos grown statewide.

Also look for arts and crafts booths and non-stop entertainment featuring Bolo, Maka, Poncho Man, Auntie Irma’s Kahikina Nahenehe Ohana and Hands of Fatima Bellydance Troupe.

The 2014 Mango Festival is sponsored by Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers-West Hawaii and Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.