Avast, Ye Fruits

The annual mango fest gets a blockbuster theme

Comments (0) By Greg Baker Thursday, Jul 12 2007

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There’s a rumor Johnny Depp is in town desperately going door-to-door and begging people to see his awful new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Not true. He’s actually going around stealing mangoes. Right, like you’ve never plucked one off of some stranger’s tree. Johnny, bro, there’s no need for that. It’s raining mangoes this week courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and its unfortunate pirates/Caribbean-theme International Mango Festival. The luscious summer-ripe fruit gets feted (and eated) today and tomorrow with a salad of sales, lectures, and demonstrations, plus an auction, puppet show, and something called “mango theater” (not, presumably, starring Mr. Depp).

Fairchild, being a botanic garden and all, will offer for sale numerous mango trees, the produce of which will also be available. The Garden says this is the largest mango collection on Earth, a “staggering display of genetic diversity.” They grow from more than 200 cultivars, which is pretty staggering. Prices vary wildly, with one tasting (duh, the best part) costing only a dollar. Admission to Fairchild itself is $20 for adults, less for others. Children wearing pirate costumes (aaarrrgh!) get in free.
Sun., July 15, 9:30 a.m.