The Tribune

THIS year’s Fox Hill Parade was once again a “winning success” according to the historic area’s MP, Fred Mitchell.

As the annual celebration marking Emancipation Day continued all day yesterday and into last night, Mr Mitchell thanked Maurice Tynes and his Fox Hill Festival Committee “for once again stepping up to the plate.”

“The junkanoo was a smashing success. I understand that all the major groups were here,” Mr Mitchell said, adding: “I wish especially to remember in connection with our star of junkanoo Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper who is ill in hospital in Florida, and we wish him a speedy recovery and thank him for all that he has done for the protection and promotion of African culture in the Bahamas.”

Mr Mitchell noted that the Fox Hill constituency has existed since 1968, and the festival has long been an integral part of its identity.

“In the weeks leading up to this festival, people recalled that it was (former MP) Lionel Davis who is widely credited with bringing back to the modern era the climbing of the greasy pole,” he said.

“We all remember him dressed in African garb for these occasions. Today we remember him and all the representatives who served this area.”

Mr Mitchell also commemorated former chairs of the Fox Hill Festival Committee such as William Rahming, Charles Johnson and Eric Wilmott – particularly the latter, who is widely credited with creating the modern Fox Hill Festival by combining the days from Emancipation Day to Fox Hill day into one continuous series of activities.

Among the special features added this year are a lecture on the history of Fox Hill by Mr Mitchell, to take place tomorrow, and a public ceremony at the home of Frank Edgecombe, to the rename the street on which he lives in his honour, on the following day.