Customers line up to check pineapples on sale in last year’s event.

The Central Wholesale Market Festival coming up Sunday is all about fruits and vegetables, with emphasis on those grown in Okinawa.

The Central Wholesale Market at 1-11-1 Inanse in Urasoe City is the venue for this free-to-enter festival from 9 a.m. ~ 3 p.m.   Of course, purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers, can be done at very economical prices.  Summer is the perfect time for tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango, and also watermelon, bananas and greens.  All are for sale Sunday.

Vegetables and fruits auction adds to the festive mood.

The vegetables and fruits part of the Okinawa Central Wholesale Market was established in 1984, and flowers were added in 1997.  The market has been supporting all Okinawa-grown foods since then.

There’s more to the festival Sunday than just shopping for fruits, vegetables and flowers.  There are a variety of events, such as the Okinawa mango contest, kids’ watermelon busting completion, simulated vegetables and fruits auction, Eisa, and sample tasting of mango and pineapple. Sales of food and beverages will be also offered in the hall.

Many people attend this festival every year knowing that fresh vegetables and fruit are available for purchase at cheap prices. Organizers warn that although the parking lot has plenty of spaces for visitors, it can get a bit congested early in the morning when crowds flock to the wholesale market to be in place by the 9 a.m. starting time.

• 
• NO DATA