Mennonite community’s first expo and fair
The Mennonite community has contributed tremendously to Belize’s growing economy since they arrived in the country over fifty years ago. What was once a close knit community known for its deep-rooted religious beliefs and expertise in agriculture is now recognized for changing the industrial methods of production. On Saturday, the Mennonite community held their first expo in the Cayo District. News Five Isani Cayetano was there and found out the event attracted thousands.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The Mennonites of Spanish Lookout over the past weekend invited the general public to experience a first-of-its-kind expo showcasing the latest developments in the automotive, construction and food industries. Organizers and participants in the event were more than impressed with the overall turnout of several thousand Belizeans who converged on Countryside Park in search of bargains.
Visitor, Mennonite Expo
“Well if yoh notice ah get wah coupon fi fifteen percent off fi any mechanical parts and yah I get wah twenty-five percent off. This is off ah any kind ah oil or so and basically dis ends up at di end ah di month and I guess di deal dah di store Western Trac.”
Westrac was only one of many companies being represented at the commercial fair. While adults were busy purchasing tires and poultry products, children flocked the Western Dairies booth.
Isani Cayetano
“What has the experience been like being able to serve these many Belizean people since morning?”
Western Dairies Employee
“The experience is that we are serving them and they like buy all of these products that we have. We have all kinds of products too. We have ice cream, yogurt, juice, water; those are the products that we have.”
Isani Cayetano
“It is still a bit difficult to believe that less than twenty years ago the Mennonite community here in Spanish Lookout was chiefly an agrarian based community catering to the needs of Belizeans when it comes to animal husbandry, when it comes to dairy products and when it comes to the basic agriculture and automotive needs. Twenty years later, it has transformed itself into this.”
[Montage of display…]
Frank Friessen; Owner, Friessen Hatcheries
“As far as poultry is concerned, poultry has been a very successful industry in Spanish Lookout, of course poultry has had a ripple effect on the economy in many other areas.”
Isani Cayetano
“Some of which are?”
Frank Friessen
“Well there is a lot of corn being raised to feed to broilers which of course takes fertilizer, takes fuel, takes a lot of labor and so forth.”
The expo, undoubtedly the first of many to come, was no overnight decision. Organizers very carefully planned and executed everything seen here.
Norman Dueck, Business Chamber of Spanish Lookout
“We about over three months ago we decided that we would have an expo on February twenty-seventh and we, the venue wasn’t really an issue because this was the best place around here that we had but we got together with a consultant to advise us on bus routes and stuff like that. But are roads are fairly good and large so we can handle a good amount of traffic.”
From the overall look of things the estimated turnout of some fifteen thousand visitors at this year’s expo will at some point give the National Agriculture and Trade Show a run for its money. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
