Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Join the Jay Sadler Project as they raise money for the Vista Hermosa playground with the juiciest event: the 1st Puerto Vallarta Mango Festival, set to be held at Lazaro Cardenas Park on Saturday, July 1st from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.

Come out and celebrate the sweetest produce of the summer - mangoes! - while enjoying various dishes made with the 'King of Tropical Fruit' provided by local restaurants and vendors, complemented by free live entertainment that starts at 4:00 pm with the Huicholes Family (Native Folklore), followed by Doris Jauregui (Soft Latin Music) at 5:00 pm, Los Polvitos (youth Mariachi) at 6:00, Xiutla (Folkloric Ballet) at 7:00 pm, and Tequila Rush (Classic Rock) at 8:00 pm.

If you think you know a thing or two about this delicious fruit, think again. A visit to the festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of mangoes. Try many dessert treats incorporating this Puerto Vallarta staple. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mango cobbler, a dessert typical of the region.

So far, participating vendors include: Bar La Playa, El Torito, India Gate, La Nieveria, La Saranderia, Mango's Beach Club, Mar y Tierra, Mariscos Tino's, Mr. Boli, Muelle 7, Murphy's Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, Pajaritos, PV Cupcakes, Rey Del Aguachile, Sapori di Sicilia, Taberna Los 3 Hombres, Vallarta Botanical Garden and Veggie Table.

If you are interested in participating or volunteering, please go to JaySadlerProject.com. Click on 'Contact' and send us an email if you would like to participate, or click on 'Volunteers' and fill out the form if you would like to volunteer to help out as needed during this community event.

Did you know?

Mangoes originated over 5,000 years ago in the Hindi-Burma region, which extends from eastern India and southern China across Southeast Asia. Around 300 A.D. mango seeds traveled from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America. Cultivation of mangoes moved westward with the spice trade. The Portuguese, who landed in Calcutta in 1498, were the first to establish a mango trade. Spanish explorers brought mangoes to South America and Mexico in the 1600's.

Mangoes were introduced to Mexico from the Philippines in 1775 as part of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route which brought porcelain, silk, ivory and spices from China to Mexico in exchange for New World silver. At some point, along with other exotica, mangoes made the same East to West journey. Now the Manila mango is among the most beloved varieties in Mexico. Though there's plenty of love for other varieties, including Ataulfo, Haden, Criollo, Petacon, Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Kent, to name a few.

The Mexican mango season starts in the spring, in the south, in the state of Chiapas with the Honey Manila variety. As the spring and summer months progress, the mangoes begin to come from the northern regions. Hadens and Tommy Atkins mangoes come from the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. In the mid- to late- summer months the Kent variety becomes available out of the state of Sinaloa. The final variety of the season is the Keitt variety, also out of the state of Sinaloa. The Mexican mango season lasts until the beginning of September.