The second-annual Puerto Vallarta Mango Festival is coming to the city’s lovely Lazaro Cardenas Park, Saturday, July 7, an event sure to gladden the hearts of those who can’t live without the sticky sweet fruit.
The festival, which raises money for various charities, is the brainchild of the Jay Sadler Project, the PV Rotary Club and the Sister City Foundation of Highland Park, Illinois. The comestible star of the show will feature in a variety of offerings, principally in dishes which use it as a central ingredient.
Jalisco is one of Mexico’s most important mango-growing regions, together with Nayarit, Sinaloa, Michoacan, Veracruz and Chiapas. The country as a whole has long been the leader in mango exports worldwide, with China being the only country to challenge its reign in recent years.
So far, vendors participating in the festival include Bar La Playa, El Torito, Escondida’s Sports Bar, Gringo Loco, Horizonte de Paz, India Gate, La Sanderia, Los Muertos Brewing, Mama Sirena, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, PV Cup Cakes, R.I.S.E., Savvy & Well, The Green Place, Tomatlan and Vallarta Botanical Gardens. More are expected.
In addition to food, attendees can enjoy live entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m., provided, from earliest to latest, Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta, Hired Guns, Da Crew, Jose Carlos Olvera and Alan Vallejo Garcia.
Festival hours are 4-10 p.m. and admission is free.