�This event reveals the significance of the agriculture industry to the livelihood of St. Croix,� Commissioner Richards said. �The three-day affair provides visitors and residents with a wonderful opportunity to experience the unique culture, history and traditions of St. Croix through delicious foods, local music, fellowship and fun.�

The theme for this year�s event, �Agriculture: An Open Door in 2004� highlights the variety of opportunities available and advances being made in the USVI agriculture industry. This event is the largest agricultural and cultural fair in the USVI, welcoming more than 100 vendors who sell locally made crafts, foods, refreshments, fresh fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and more. A special award will be given to Mr. Eric �Larry� Bough, former Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture, as the fairgrounds are named in honor of him. One highlight of the three-day celebration will be the �Farmer of the Year� awards, in which a crop farmer and a livestock farmer will receive recognition for their contributions to local agriculture. The main exhibit building will house the farmer�s market, school and youth group exhibits and the HOVENSA Oil Refinery exhibit.

The festivities begin on Saturday, February 14, with the opening ceremony occurring at 10 a.m. In addition to educational exhibits and local culinary delights, fair participants also will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cultural presentations. On Saturday, event participants will enjoy a Fair Wear fashion show, a dancehall and freestyle competition, performances by the St. Croix Heritage Dancers and special concerts by Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights, the Oreo Steel Band and Gravity. Sunday�s events will feature a Caribbean gospel program, junior and senior calypso shows and music by DJ Myron, Native Rhythm, Digital Band, Pandemonics Steel Band and the Ricardo Richards Pan Connection. The three-day event will conclude on Monday with special performances by Xtasion, the Star Lion Family, DJ Myron, the SCEC Caribbean Fusion Band, the West End Masqueraders, Jamesie & Friends, the Noel Band and Dem Boys.

The festival is sure to entertain children with the variety of fun events planned, including amusement park rides, a youth cake/bake competition, a 4-H groom squad showmanship, a 4-H small animal showmanship, horseback rides, donkey cart rides, pony rides, a natural horsemanship demonstration and fish feedings.

Entrance fees are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for children. For more information, call (340) 692-4060 or (340) 778-0991.

For additional information about the United States Virgin Islands, call (800) 372-USVI (8784), visit www.usvitourism.vi or contact the nearest USVI Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C. or Toronto.

United States Virgin Islands Department Of Tourism
Member Of The Caribbean Tourism Organization

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