May 1st is a day for 2 holidays here in Haiti - Labor Day and Agricultural Day We headed out to the Damier suburbs of Port-au-Prince to attend the Fair organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Ministry of Social Services and Labor.
The banner over the gates to the State University of Agriculture grounds, translated into english reads, "It is the work of the Haitian which develops the country well." That saying is true.
As we entered the grounds we saw brand new shiny tractors with a farm "tool" (being a city person, I have no idea what the attachments are called :)
John Deere tractors are available in Haiti.
The grounds are large and beautiful. Fully grown royal palms line the laneway.
11 of our Coram Deo crew walked to where the exhibits were.
There were lots of brand new farm equipment on display. I didn't know that Haiti had this much farming equipment available!
A worker was putting up the John Deere sign. Haytrac is the distributor here in Haiti for their farming equipment.
A few brand new Kubota tractors were on display as well.
The agricultural building is a historic site. It was damaged during the earthquake.
A lot of people showed up to take in the sites. The man in the white t-shirt is pushing in his wheelbarrow a load of "rechauds", Haitian cooking stoves.
Another view of the large agricultural building.
Damage from the earthquake is visible.
We followed the crowds to the interior of the exhibition site.
It was Valentin's job to lead Calens by the hand.
Haitian police were on hand to provide security for the fair exhibitors and patrons.
The Haitian Red Cross had an ambulance to provide emergency first aid if needed.
A new shiny motorcycle for the police force. A policeman is standing on duty near by.
Small vendors hoping to make a sale set along the sidewalks of the laneway.
The woman on the left is selling apples and the woman beside her potato chips and snacks. They have a nice shady space to stand under the trees.
Another view of all the new farm equipment covering the land in front of the agricultural building.
A side view of the Kubota tractor. The children wanted to take a ride on the tractor: People were not allowed close access to the farm equipment.
A man is carrying a large wooden drum to an exhibit site. Later on we found where this man set up his drum.
Crowds of street vendors and people walked through the large grounds of the agricultural school site.
This vendor is selling Haitian made straw hats.
Hi-Pro is a haitian business providing food, agricultural advice and equipment to farmers.
This ice cream wagon is ready to sell cold ice cream.
Along this row of exhibits were vendors of Haitian arts and crafts.
Every booth offered a different variety of souvenirs and Haitian crafts.
Over the years the quality and variety of the crafts have improved all geared to the tourism industry and exporting to shops in the United States by buyers such as Donna Karan and Martha Stewart.
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