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#2 John Brewers Bay  St. Thomas V.I. 00802-9990  Tel: (340) 693-1057  Fax: (340) 693-1055  www.uvi.edu  Release 16.111 jg  Historically American. Uniquely Caribbean. Globally Interactive. Public Relations Office PRESS RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2017 For Immediate Release Agrifest 2017 Set for Feb. 18-20: “Agriculture: Our Heritage & Hope for the Future!” The public is invited to attend the 46th Annual Agriculture and Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands from Feb. 18-20, at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex, at Estate Lower Love on St. Croix. The theme is “Agriculture: Our Heritage & Hope for the Future!” The entrance fee is $6 for adults, $3 for children, and $4 for senior citizens. The fair will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. “The Board of Directors of the 2017 Agriculture and Food Fair of the Virgin Islands joins with the rest of the territory to commemorate the historic transfer centennial,” said Carlos Robles, V.I. Department of Agriculture commissioner. “In addition to the usual fair activities, the public can look forward to a retrospective booklet of articles and photographs from previous Agrifest booklets, along with Centennial souvenir giveaways, live performances with special guest artists, and much more.” Robles continued, “Renowned chefs from around the U.S. will participate in cultural exchanges with our local chefs. One participating chef is of Danish ancestry, which highlights the cultural exchange. Come out and support our local farmers and participate in all activities. Don’t miss it.” Agrifest 2017 will also feature Farmer of the Year Award presentations and grand quadrille dancing with music by Stanley and the 10 Sleepless Knights. Other entertainment will include a Caribbean Gospel “Singspiration,” VI Road March Champion Pumpa and the Unit, reggae artist Fyah Train, and the one and only Pressure Busspipe with his band. Family fun will involve interesting and attractive exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, challenging competitions, games, prize-winning animals, delicious varieties of local food and beverages, and the fun fellowship of sharing with friends and relatives from neighboring islands. In addition to participants from all three Virgin Islands, guests #2 John Brewers Bay  St. Thomas V.I. 00802-9990  Tel: (340) 693-1057  Fax: (340) 693-1055  www.uvi.edu  Release 16.111 jg  are expected to arrive from Guyana, Anguilla, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis. New to Agrifest this year will be the first “Amazing Ag Race” – a scavenger hunt modeled after the network television series, “The Amazing Race.” The “Amazing Ag Race” will target junior high and high school teams. With assistance from the UVI University Bound program, young people can test their agricultural prowess in the “Ag Olympics” on Sunday afternoon. Fifteen University of the Virgin Islands programs will participate under the UVI tent with educational displays of publications and services offered to the community. In addition to their major sponsorship roles, the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) – both Land Grant programs – will portray themes of heritage and hope in the form of a centerpiece that compares the rich traditional foods of the Virgin Islands with updated nutritional materials to promote a healthier lifestyle. The organizers of the 2017 Agriculture and Food Fair invite everyone to come and experience Virgin Islands agriculture at its very best. The Agriculture and Food Fair is sponsored by the V.I. Department of Agriculture, the UVI Cooperative Extension Service and the V.I. Department of Tourism. For more information, contact Marthious Clavier at (340) 692-4090, or via email at mclavie@live.uvi.edu.