With the earmarking of the Christian Valley  location for the renaming ceremony  of Mount Obama, an early stage has been set for the staging of the 2009, Mango festival set for August 14&15. 

Chairman of the mango fest Committee, Jedidiah Maxime in explaining the scope of work done so far  said extensive work is being carried out on the Christian Valley Road. 

Maxime added, that the farmers along  the Christian valley Road are being encouraged to participate in the Best Farm Competition. 

Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment  Hilson Baptiste during the opening ceremony of the Mango Fest in early June announced that a prize of $500 has been organised for the farmer with the best farm. 

The minister noted, that the prize is a motivating factor to boost the farmers to beautify their farms along the roads 

"The landscaping of Christian Valley is also being organised. There will be  a natural band stand installed along with flowers and palms. These plants are local through they may not be indigenous to that area. 

In the meantime the deadline for the mango fest art competition is set for July 31st.  Students between the ages 5 -15 could participate in the activity. 

The application forms could be downloaded at www.antiguamangofest.com  

A Magic mango /pineapple culinary competition is also set for August 8th, at the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHI)