If you’ve ever wondered what joy tastes like, you might find your answer tucked inside the fuzzy, golden skin of a ripe mango – and the people of Anguilla know this better than anyone. On Saturday, 19th July 2025, The National Green Space on Coronation Avenue in The Valley transformed into a juicy, sun-kissed haven for all things mango, thanks to the return of the Island Mango Experience.
Hosted by Quest Experiences, the day wasn’t just a celebration of everyone’s favourite summer fruit – it was a glorious tribute to our land, our people, our traditions, and the sweet satisfaction of coming together as a community. With soca rhythms decorating the air like confetti and the sound of laughter peppered throughout the lush greenery, it was the kind of day that reminded us why we love home so much.
Immediately upon stepping into the Green Space, there was an almost tangible calm in the air – but don’t be mistaken, this wasn’t a sleepy kind of calm. It was the kind that comes with contentment, with connection, with that mellow joy you only get from good music, great company, and even better food.
Think mango ceviche so flavourful it had you dancing without even realising it. Chef Emmanuel Calderon of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts gave a live demonstration of how to prepare this refreshing dish, blending chunks of fresh mango with savoury herbs, lime, and other zesty ingredients that made each bite feel like a mini fireworks show on the tongue.
On the sweeter side of things, there were stalls offering mango bread paired with scoops of mango ice cream, juicy watermelon, wings and mahi-mahi coated with mango habanero sauce, juices in shades of sunrise, and even a mango rum drink for the grown folk looking to cool off with a little kick. The mix of fresh fruits and mango by-products offered something for every palate.
Another highlight was the soul-soothing sip of bush tea, courtesy of Ms. Vincia Hodge. With a quiet wisdom and bright smile, she offered up steaming cups of herbal blends made from lemongrass, rosemary, worry wine, and other locally grown herbs – all steeped with spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Not only were the teas comforting to taste, but they also carried a rich legacy of health and healing, passed down through generations.
“I practically live off of bush tea,” Ms. Hodge said with a laugh. “I make it for my coworkers all the time – so when 
I was asked to prepare some for the Mango Experience, I was more than excited.”
Her teas weren’t just good for the body – they were medicine for the soul. A reminder that reconnecting with nature doesn’t always mean climbing mountains or swimming in waterfalls. Sometimes, it’s as simple as sipping a cup of warm tea made from the leaves growing in your own backyard.
But beyond the mango treats, the ice cream, the bush tea and the sunshine, there was something deeper bubbling beneath the surface. Clemvio Hodge of Quest Experiences, the event’s organisers, summed it up best.
“We wanted to invite and encourage our people to get together and enjoy the foods and produce that we get from our land. And what better place to have it than at the Green Space here – where it’s cool, peaceful, and organic.”
It wasn’t just an event – it was an experience. One that honoured the bounty of Anguilla’s soil, the traditions of our elders, and the simple pleasure of enjoying something fresh, local and delicious with the people you love.
Article by Janissa Fleming
