Valentine’s Day wasn’t just for couples this year, as thousands of people turned up to the 55th annual Agriculture Show to partake in traditional Caymanian dishes cooked with love, watch as handwoven baskets were crafted with care, see the meticulously raised produce on display, or enjoy the many other activities at the fair.
The Savannah-based festival was abuzz from early in the morning through the early evening. After passing through the market street located at the entrance, attendees had their choice of first visiting the prize-winning livestock, the craft pavilion, the plant nursery or the arena for live entertainment.
Representatives kicked off the opening ceremony midmorning, where Agriculture Minister Jay Ebanks expounded on the theme of food security.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the dedication of our local farmers, producers, and community members working toward a sustainable future for Cayman Islands agriculture,” he said. “This year, we emphasise that food security is a collective responsibility, one that we have embraced wholeheartedly.”
With that, Governor Jane Owen rang the ceremonial cowbell and officially began the show.
Appreciating community support
Despite an uptick in late afternoon temperatures, attendees filled the grounds from sunup to sundown, with many commenting on the quality of food and produce offered. Many especially appreciated the handheld treats, like the homemade cassava cakes.
Produce vendors at Wednesday’s market said they always appreciate the monumental community support for their craft at the fair.
Dean Edwards from Eddie’s Farm, based in East End, said the turnout seemed to even surpass last year.
His stall offered a rainbow of kitchen staples, including yams, plantains, tomatoes, bananas, scallions, papayas, callaloo, sugar cane and tremendous bushels of bok choy. He noted that the farm supplies several markets and restaurants throughout the year.
He and Marjorie Edwards said they always enjoy getting to see what other farmers bring to the table. Vendors offered plenty of variety, including some products not often seen on store shelves, like black sapote, fresh ackee and nopales. Visitors on the go could enjoy their fruits in freshly blended smoothies.
Cooking with love
Some vendors have been longstanding participants in making the event so special.
Rose McField of Rose’s Kitchen has run her booth every year for more than a decade.
McField began cooking the day prior and worked throughout the night to accommodate the large crowd. She takes particular pride in her stew turtle and her Cayman-style beef, a traditional dish featured at many of the booths.
Even when it comes to cooking for the masses, McField said she believes it is important to offer high quality.
“I put extra love in the food today,” she said.
She is not the only beloved Rose at the Agriculture Show.
Rose May Ebanks, the West Bay traditional master artisan, delighted youngsters by teaching them the art of silver-thatch weaving. Her daughter Adonza Harrison, who ran the booth with her, said she takes pride in helping carry on the tradition in a variety of ways.
In addition to the popular hats and bags, they also offered small tokens, including decorated magnets with scripture inscribed on the back.
Harrison encourages community members to share their own skills next year.
“This is our tradition; this is our heritage; this is our culture,” she said.
Shows at the show
The main stage stayed busy with a bevy of musicians and other entertainment.
Stuart Wilson, James Geary and Friends, Dan Ebanks, Mr. Notch and the Cayman Islands National Dance Company kept the celebration lively. Spectators also had the chance to show their support for entrants in the Miss Agriculture Queen pageant, the princess pageant, and the beautiful baby contest.
Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about improving their own green thumb at booths hosted by the Department of Agriculture, which included a functional aquaponics display packed with fresh leafy greens and an interactive exhibit on agricultural pests.
For those wanting to put their newly acquired knowledge to the test, they could walk one station over to the plant nursery.
Michelle Green, a supervisor at Growing Beauty Nursery, said people were particularly interested in fruit trees, such as apple, cherry, mango, starfruit, breadfruit and more.
She said the nursery, located by Seven Mile Beach, is always happy to offer advice to those new to growing their own plants, and she hoped plenty of people walked away with a new appreciation for agriculture.
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