Hundreds of nursery, primary and secondary school students passed through Queen’s Park today. The occasion was the opening of the highly anticipated Agrofest 2015.
When Barbados TODAY visited, the students, especially the little ones, were all smiles, clearly impressed by the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, sturdy animals and array of birds at the annual event coordinated by the Barbados Agriculture Society.
A Green Monkey, accompanying a tuk band and Mother Sally, caused some stir among the younger pupils whom he ran after, giving them hugs, and even searching a few book bags. Some of the older students were spotted with their books and pens impressively taking notes.
The Green Monkey trying to take away Lodge School student Sherliza Griffith (centre) from her school friend Sharise Mason.
The pigs will keep grunting and the birds whistling, and the fruits and vegetables will be found tempting as Agrofest, now deemed second only to Crop Over on the island’s calendar of events, attracts expectedly as many as 60,000 patrons this weekend.
This pony was a hit at Agrofest.
Some of the students shared with the Barbados TODAY team why they came to Agrofest on this bright and sunny day.
Ursuline Convent student Ayla Greenidge said she was anxious to view the exhibitions and learn new things.
“Really and certainly I learnt more about sheep and pigs than I have ever known,” Greenidge said.
Her schoolmate Dana Bradshaw indicated that this was her first time at Agrofest. She fully enjoyed the experience and was looking forward to taking home the new pet fish she had bought.
It was also the first time their teacher Gillian Arangnren had attended the event. She said from what she had seen, she should have gone in previous years.
“I find it is very educational for the kids,” Arangnren said.
Toddlers making their way through the park.
It was early in the day, but vendor Natalie Harewood said while teachers were yet stopping by her stall to show the students the variety of what she had to offer, she found that some of the older ones needed a special lesson on the different types of fruits and vegetables, especially those grown locally.