June first signals the start of a brand new hurricane season and if projections for this year prove correct, it will be a banner year for storms. Let us hope that the Catholics can still pray and that the annual candlelight liturgy held last week, will once again prove potent. Of course, few can yet forget last year’s untimely scare at the hands of Hurricane Mitch who came all the way up to our doorstep and precipitated an almost total evacuation of Belize City. Belizeans in low lying areas by the tens of thousands, forsook their normal zone of comfort and fled for the unwonted refuge of higher ground. ‘il’ Belmopan was the favored sanctuary and for at least a few days last year, the normally sleepy little hallow resembled the bustling metropolis it was projected to have become. As soon as the all clear flag was raised, however, and for a few even before, city dwellers hastened back to their familiar confines and Belmopan was restored to it quiescent existence.

Since that fateful day last October, few have ventured back out even so far as Faber’s Road and while I’m sure that most would have called or written to express their gratitude, I believe that a courtesy call would not be out of order. This holiday weekend presents an excellent opportunity for us to drop in on those kind and hospitable Belmopanians who, in our hour of need, readily opened their doors and hearts to us. Let us not wait until we need them again to go calling. This weekend then, offers two good reasons why we should head west with the other being the very popular Agriculture and Trade Show.

The show, which was a few years ago change from annual to biannual, is back on an annual basis and this year promises to be bigger and grander than ever before. Research reveals that there have been in our country, agriculture shows of one kind or another for well over a hundred years, with the first one being recorded as early as 1877. It was called then the Colonial Exhibition of Products of British Honduras and was the brainchild of Administering Officer of the colony, Lt. Colonel Charles Harley. The local press hailed it as being a huge success and predicted marvelous things to come. The good colonel was recalled from the colony that very year, however, and it not until his return many years later, that the show was once again given the nod of approval. In 1927 another Colonial Exhibition was held, this one at the Loyola Park in Belize City. In the late 1950’s agricultural fairs began on an annual basis but were held at different locations throughout the country.

In 1970, the current site was adopted as permanent and while it has by no means been consistently successful, this agriculture show is significant and it is good to see it back on track. It is now of course, called the Agriculture and Trade Show, emphasizing not only the farmers but also our local artisans. After a long absence, the Mennonite community will once again be participating this year and the organizing committee, headed by Ismael “Miley” Garcia has promised the biggest and most diverse show yet. Belmopan, here we come again!

The National Trade and Agriculture Show or Agri as we affectionately refer to it, is an excellent opportunity for average city folks, to become familiar with the operations of farm life and to meet and greet those who till the soil. This weekend, let us take some time to appreciate and applaud those, by the sweat of whose brow, is produced our daily bread. Let us also give our children a little education about the business of trade and agriculture which is for sure, everybody’s business. And while you’re out west, I recommend a visit to Guanacaste Park. And please don’t forget to drop in and say hello and thank you to those who offered the milk of human kindness during last year’s near scrape with disaster.