PiAngo Fest 2025 a Resounding Success by Brent Simon

PiAngo Fest 2025 has been hailed as a success, drawing overwhelming public support and transforming the Cades Bay Agricultural Station into a lively festivity park filled with stalls, treats, music, and cultural showcases.

From the morning’s gospel kickoff to the fiery evening finale with the legendary Burning Flames, the event offered a full day of family fun, agricultural exhibitions, and high-energy entertainment.

Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, the Honourable Anthony Smith Jr., insisted on the rejuvenation of PiAngo Fest as part of his bold push to revitalize the agricultural sector. His leadership has been decisive and beneficial, characterized as what some would described, as “taking the bull by the horns,” with the festival’s return adding another accomplishment to his growing record of achievements in agriculture.

Reflecting the government’s commitment to the success of agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne/Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and several members of his Cabinet including the Honourable Melford Nicholas and Honourable Rawdon Turner.

During a post event interview, Mr. Walter Christopher/Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that following the response from the sector and shareholders, plans are in motion to expand the event into a full fledged Agricultural Festival in the coming year. Such a festival he said would allow the entire sector to participate and festival goers would be able to enjoy a broader range of what Antigua has to offer in terms of fruit and produce and their spinoff industries.

This event, gave the government agricultural stations and their teams a chance to directly interact with patrons and an opportunity to showcase their work.  They were thankful for participating in one of the Ministry’s calendar events. The experience proved to the nation our existence and some of the work we produced. Next year, they plan to introduce a mango and pineapple flavored beer, the management and staff shared.

The highlight of the festivals were the eating competitions with the winners being:

John Waeling — Pineapple & Mango Eating Competition — $200 EC

Jahkeem Lewis — Hot Wings Eating Challenge — $500 EC

Tyreke Horsford — Watermelon Eating Competition — $300 EC

The IICA sponsored Agro-Proccesing Competition was also adjudicated with the winners to be announced.

There were eight (8) categories in this competition.

– Frozen Products

– Patries

– Juices/ Nectar

– Wines

– Sauces

– Honey

– Jams/Jellies

– Confectioneries

With strong community support, government backing, and enthusiastic participation from vendors, performers, and agro-processors, PiAngo Fest 2025 has reaffirmed its place as a true celebration of agriculture, creativity, and national pride.