The Florida Mango Festival takes place Saturday, June 27, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Organizers said more than 75 vendors will serve up local mango varieties, grafted trees, tropical fruits, and mango-themed products. Alex Salazar of Tropical Acres Farms told WPTV the indoor, air-conditioned venue offers an ideal setting for people to taste and learn about Florida-grown mangoes.
Festival co-organizer Vince Rogers previewed unique varieties including Fruit Cocktail, Orange Sherbet, and Pineapple Pleasure. He said Florida hosts more than 350 mango varieties far beyond what is typically available in grocery stores. Educational talks on home mango growing and grafting techniques will run throughout the day. Salazar will lead demonstrations offering tips for beginners and seasoned growers.
Additional features include an ID Your Mango booth, a scion exchange for online mango community members, and a master display of Florida's diverse mango cultivars. First pick ticket holders can enter at 9 a.m., with regular admission at 10:30 a.m. Garage parking is included with tickets, with limited availability. Paid public parking is available nearby north of Okeechobee Blvd. Tickets and information are available at floridamangofestival.com.