The lauded king of fruit returns to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for the 23rd Annual International Miami Mango Festival from July 11-12, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This year, the festival will feature mouthwatering mangos from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Festival favorites like the world’s only Mango Auction, mango tastings, and mango tree sales will satisfy the appetites of visitors of all ages.

Mangos span hundreds of cultivars with different tastes, textures, and fragrances. After sampling diverse varieties in the Mango Tasting Room, visitors can cast a vote for their favorite mango. Unique mango varieties are available for purchase at the Fruit Market and can be used in the easy-to-make tropical meals presented by notable local chefs at the Cooking Demonstration Tent sponsored by Whole Foods. Plenty of vendors will sample and sell their mango creations, including popular fruit smoothies in the Edible Garden. Expert-led gardening demos will showcase mango cultivation practices and how they vary globally; use those techniques after taking home a tree from the mango tree sales to reap delicious fruit every summer.

Following in the footsteps of Dr. David Fairchild, Curators of Tropical Fruit, Dr. Richard Campbell and Noris Ledesma, have traveled all over the world collecting mango species to grow at the Fairchild Farm. These rare mango collections, part of the magnificent Mangos of the World Display, will be sold to the highest bidder at the exciting Mango Auction on Sunday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m. Richard and Noris will also lead the Mango Grower’s Summit a day before the festival to discuss the latest research and news in the mango industry.

For a gourmet dining experience, RSVP to the Mango Brunch, a fundraiser for the Tropical Fruit Program and Fairchild Farm. Held on Sunday, July 12 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the brunch will feature mango dishes by Frank and Andrea Randazzo from Creative Tastes Catering, Jimmy Carey of Jimmy’z Kitchen, Kareem Anguin of Oceanaire, Kris Wessel of Oolite Restaurant and Bar, Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile, and Allen Susser of The Café at Books & Books. Tickets for the brunch are sold separately.

This year’s International Miami Mango Festival is sponsored by Whole Foods Market, New York Life, Simply Natural Investments, and Williamson Automotive Group.

Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 6-17, and free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156.

For more info, please call 305-667-1651 or visit www.fairchildgarden.org/mango.