Got mangoes?
If not, go this Saturday to Paradise Gardens in Bayview as a fest to celebrate the ever popular tropical fruit. The gardens, previously known as River’s End Nursery, will turn into a celebration of mangoes for people of all ages from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Owners Jason and Lara Hess have one of the largest mango groves in the Rio Grande Valley. It has close to 30 varieties of fruit-bearing trees and many young ones in different sizes of pots.
“We are celebrating the king of the fruit,” he said. “We are going to have all sorts of activities for children and for adults.”
Among them include tasting ice cream, pie eating, crepes and pizza using mangoes as one of the main ingredients. There will also be storytelling, face painting, and messy mustache and mango-decorating contests. Also, there will be a crowning of the mango queen from a list of three finalists. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship from a car and truck dealership from San Benito.
Getting to the celebration
To get to Paradise Gardens, take FM 506 or 106 in Harlingen, pass Rio Hondo. Take a right on Ted Hunt Road until the sign is visible.
From Los Fresnos and Brownsville, take FM 1847 then a right on FM 510. Pass the four way-stop, keep going and take a left on Ted Hunt Road.
For the South Padre Island/Port-Isabel/Laguna Heights and Laguna Vista area, take Highway 100 west. Take a right on FM 510 and another right on Ted Hunt Road.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-11 years of age.