Mango, Jackfruit, Passionfruit Love: Summer Tropical Fruit Festival Roundup

What makes summer in South Florida so special? Tropical fruits! Days may be hot and steamy, but the promise of juicy mango, ripe jackfruit, sweet lychee and longan, tart passionfruit and other tropical fruits make it all worthwhile. Here’s the cream of the crop of our fruit festivals:

Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta, Big Pine Key

WHAT: This free, family-friendly event returns to the lower Keys. Brought to you by the University of Florida/IFAS Monroe County Extension Service and Grimal Grove, the fiesta features tropical fruit tastings, fruit tree, orchid, veggie and plant sales, kids’ activities, educational talks, local vendors, cooking demos with breadfruit and Thai veggies. Educational talks topics are:
• Why Won't My Tree Fruit?
• Summer Gardening in the Keys
• Pruning Fruit Trees
Kids’ activities include:
• Plant-A-Piney
• Fruit painting
• Monroe County Sheriff's Animal Farm
WHEN: Sat., June 18, 10am-2pm
WHERE: Big Pine Key Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Dr.
MORE INFO: Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta

Mango Fest Key West

WHAT: The sixth annual event features all things mango. This festival – with fruits, artwork, food, contests, special restaurant dishes – benefits the Key West Police Athletic League (PAL) programs that get children involved in sports and in educational programs. This year’s schedule:
Thur., June 23, 5-7pm: Mango Fest Kick-off Party, Kaya Island Eats, 628 Duval St., parking at the Firehouse on Angela
Fri., June 24: Mango Fest Photo Contest winners announced. Submissions must be received by June 22.
Mango Fest Art Contest features mango art. They’ll be on display at the Vendor Village.
Sat., June 25, 10am-3pm: Splash the Town Mango in Bayview Park, with a Vendor Village showcasing mango-related items and products from local galleries, restaurants, bars, hotels, gift shops, bookstores, jewelry stores and banks.
Sun., June 26, 11am: Everything Mango Brunch presented by the Lost Kitchen Supper Club: complimentary welcome Mango Margarita or Mimosa, mango bourbon French toast casserole, lobster Benedict with mango hollandaise sauce on focaccia, house-cured thick-cut bacon with mango wood smoke; mango-fennel housemade chicken sausage; chili-lime mango and mascarpone pastry and mango cream cheese crostata.
WHEN: Thur., June 23–Sun., June 26
MORE INFO: Mango Festi Key West

Redland Summer Fruit Festival, Fruit and Spice Park

WHAT: Fruit and Spice Park’s annual showcase of tropical fruits and local agriculture, with rare fruit samplings and tasty cuisine and much more.
WHEN: Sat., June 25, 10am-5pm
WHERE: 24801 SW 187 Ave., Homestead
MORE INFO: $15 adults 12+, $8 kids 11-6, children under 5 free. Buy tickets online and save 20%: Redland Fruit and Spice Park

Intro to Tropical Fruit at Redland Fruit and Spice Park

WHAT: Learn all the basics of tropical fruit growing with Jeff Wasielewski of the UF/IFAS Extension.
WHEN: Sun., June 26, 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Fruit and Spice Park auditorium, 24801 SW 187 Ave.
MORE INFO: $25 includes entrance to the park, $5 for Fruit and Spice members.

Key Lime Festival, Key West

WHAT: Celebration of the iconic tart citrus fruit from June 30-July 4 in locations throughout Key West:

Thurs., June 30
Key Lime Kick-off
Curry Mansion, 511 Caroline St.
Sip champagne on the veranda of the 1869 mansion where key lime pie started and meet with festival founder and cookbook author David Sloan

Key Lime Life Dinner
Kaya Island Eats
Four-course meal showcasing key lime.

Fri., July 1
Mini Key Lime Pie Class
Key West Key Lime Pie Co., 511 Greene St.
Create your own mini pie.

Key Lime Rum Tasting
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, 105 Simonton Dr.

Key Lime Tree Master Class
MARC Plant Store, 1401 Seminary St.

Key Lime … Not Just for Pie
Hyatt Centric, 601 Front St.
Sample assorted hors d’oeuvres presented by executive chef Pietro Consorti.

Sat., July 2
Key Lime Vendor Village
Key West Lighthouse, 938 Whitehead St.

Key Lime Pie Drop
Key Lime Lighthouse, 938 Whitehead St.

Key Lime Sip & Stroll
Decide who makes the best key lime cocktails.

Sun., July 3
Key Lime Pie Hop
Conch Republic Seafood Company, 631 Greene St.

Chive Beats & Brunch
First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery

Key Lime Scavenger Hunt
Conch Republic Seafood Company, 631 Greene St.

Key Lime Dewey Deck Dinner & Wine Pairing
La Mer & Dewey House, 506 South St.

Mon., July 4
World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship
Southernmost Beach Cafe, 1405 Duval St.

MORE INFO: Key Lime Festival

Mango Festival, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

WHAT: Celebrate the king of fruits with cooking demos and mango tastings, smoothies and cocktails, mango brunch, mangos to buy, food vendors, mango lectures, tree sales, lawn games and fun for the family.
WHEN: Sat., July 9 and Sun., July 10, 10am-5pm
WHERE: 10901 Old Cutler Rd.
MORE INFO: Tickets–Sat.: non-member adults $24.95, seniors $17.95, students $15.95, children 6-17 $11.95, 5 and under free. Mango brunch: non-member adults $125, member adults $110. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden