Cashew Festival & Agricultural Show in Belize

March 15, 2018
by Belize Hub +

Located in the northwest corner of Belize District in central Belize is the tiny village of Crooked Tree, named for one special tree with a unique bent that grows here amidst thousands of other very important trees. Known as the cashew heartland of the country, every year the village puts on a Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show where local farmers and artisans display the eponymous nut in dozens of spectacular forms, including the must-try cashew wine and cashew jelly.

Why You Have to Attend the Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show in Belize

Known to inhabitants of more temperate climates as a delicious, buttery nut packed full of minerals and nutrients, the cashew is actually the seed of a tropical fruit known as the cashew apple. The Cashew Festival in Crooked Tree is a great chance to get up and close with the cashew in its natural environment. Games, music and local art are all part of the festival to celebrate the delicious cashew, served up in a mind-boggling array of different forms, including cashew cakes, cashew jams, cashew cookies, steward cashew, roasted cashew and cashew wine.

Where in Belize Is it Located?

The village of Crooked Tree is located in Belize District on the periphery of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary about 35 miles from Belize City.

When Is the Best Time to Attend the Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show

The Cashew Festival will be held between May 12th and 13th 2018. On Friday evening at 7:00 a beauty pageant will be held to crown the Cashew Queen, followed by a dance. Saturday and Sunday will feature daily events, including cashew wine drinking competitions, horseback riding exhibitions and a greasy pole competition.

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Best Way to Get to the Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show in Belize

By car from Belize City, take the Northern Highway and follow signs for the village, which lies about 3 miles from the highway.

By bus from Belize City, take any bus heading to Orange Walk and get off at the Crooked Tree stop. The village is approximately three miles down a packed dirt road from the highway.

Best Way to experience the Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show in Belize

Come hungry, as there will be dozens of different varieties of cashews to enjoy along with an exhibition of other agricultural products grown in the area. Friday night is the perfect time for dancing and enjoying live music with a glass or two of cashew wine while Saturday and Sunday are both great days to enjoy a taste of local charm in combination with live music and several fun competitions.