By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - Rain couldn't keep record numbers from attending the Third Annual Agat Mango Festival at Nimitz Beach Park this past weekend.

"It was twice the turnout of last year. People came with their umbrellas and stayed," said Agat Mayor Carol Tayama.

Tayama tells Guam News Factor that thousands showed up to enjoy entertainment, mango-infused cuisine and the great outdoors. Some attendees also enjoyed some special southern hospitality.

"Local residents brought in mangoes by the sackful. We washed them and gave them away. By giving, they will flourish more. That's what the local belief is. Agat residents were very proud to share," Tayama said. "We gave out free mango ice cream and mango juice, courtesy of Foremost."

While the outrigger canoe races, beauty contests, vendor booths, exhibitions, live entertainment and finger food all drew crowds for sure, perhaps nothing could top the main attraction -- a harvest of "display" mangoes in more than a dozen varieties competing for prizes that ranged from biggest to most beautiful to strangest. The biggest mangoes were the size of small watermelons. The most beautiful were perfect green teardrops with blushes of red.

Types of mango on display, given away and sold at the festival included Apple, Banana, Carabao, Hawaiian, Hayden, Malaysian, Mexican, Peach, Philippine, Piko, Saipan, and some local cross-breeds with no official names.

One of the more compelling types Guam News Factor saw in the display pavilion was the Piko, a small mango that can fit in the palm of your hand. Green on the outside, it is a deep, ripe orange on the inside.

Festival foods included mango pastries such as the Basilica Cafe's Carrot Mango Spice Cake and Mango Rum Cake, plus pickled mango, mango shakes and mango-flavored meats.

"All in all, I am very happy with the results," said Tayama. "Despite the weather, we had some rain, people still showed up. All the way from Yigo! They (couldn't) believe the size of the mangoes they were seeing. It's educational for the kids to see what we can grown on our island. People were selling mango plants so (others) can grow them in their yards."

Read the Guam News Factor story, "Juicy, Ripe & Sweet: Guam Ready To Savor Agat Mango Fest", June 25, 2009.

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