Fox-Hillians want you to join them for Emancipation celebrations

By KARAN MINNIS | Guardian Lifestyles Reporter | karan@nasguard.com

It's that time of year when Bahamians from all walks of life flock to the eastern end of the island for Fox Hill Day, and as usual, it's an affair you don't want to miss out on this Emancipation holiday weekend.

Fox Hill Day, which celebrated every year on the second Tuesday in August, is the oldest one-day celebration in the country. It actually started as a party day for the children of the Baptist churches in the community which wanted to do something for the Sunday school children who did so well in school. But people from the other settlements around the island started going to Fox Hill to join in the festivities, and it just grew into what it is today, an event for Bahamians of all walks of life, according to Eric Wilmott, 74, a Fox-hilian who will be honored at this year's affair.

Now, says Wilmott, Fox Hill Day is not just the day of fun for people of Fox Hill but for all people of The Bahamas.

"I don't know what it is, but people just love Fox Hill Day," he says. "They come from all over and enjoy the fun. That's why each year it just seems to get bigger and better. It just keeps catching on and the people keep coming.

They love it, I love it and even though I've retired from working with the festival I still love the events and I just want it to keep growing."

The activities for this year's event kick off today, and the celebrations will be non-stop through Tuesday, Aug. 12.

This year the Fox Hill village and the rest of The Bahamas will be celebrating 174 years since the Emancipation of the African slaves in The Bahamas and the then British Empire, and the Fox Hill Committee wants all Bahamians to come and celebrate with them. "So we invite all to come to Fox Hill and celebrate this important national event."

As usual, the committee has planned a full list of events for the observances, and according to Wilmott, who over the past 20 years has helped develop the festival into what it is today, not a single event should be missed.

This Fox Hill man, who was born in the community 74 years ago on April 6, is known as the historian of Fox Hill.

"I have worked with the festival from the beginning and I loved it, but it was time for me to retire," he says. "And when I announced it the committee decided to name it after me. I was a bit unsettled by it, but they insisted and I appreciate that. Its means a lot to me to take part in these celebrations from a side-line view and it is such a sight to see."

During the next week-and-a-half, there will be a wide variety of activities to entertain the public, beginning tonight at 8 o'clock with the Fox Hill Festival opening ceremonies, that will end later with a Junkanoo Rush out and a display of fireworks.

"We also have scheduled during the period of events, the National Emancipation Day celebration, on Monday, August 4, starting at 1:00 a.m., with the Emancipation Day Rush out, headlining all of the major Junkanoo groups," says Wilmott. "This will be followed later that day with the Ecumenical Emancipation Day Service, at which we expect Governor General Arthur D. Hanna along with other government officials and various community leaders. This service will be followed by the annual senior citizens luncheon organized by Olive Mackey and the committee."

On Thursday, August 7, the committee will host a special Emancipation Day and Fox Hill Day town meeting. The topic will be "Guarding our Heritage". It will be led by a panel of guest speakers on the importance of the Emancipation Day celebrations and how it affects Bahamians culturally, environmentally and socially.

This will be followed by the Member of Parliament's annual reception, sponsored by Fred Mitchell, M.P. for Fox Hill.

Culminating the list of events, will be the Annual Fox Hill Day celebrations on Tuesday, August, 12 at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited on that day to attend programs produced by St. Paul's, Macedonia, Mt. Carey and St. Mark's Baptist Churches along with the other customary Fox Hill Day festivities such as climbing the greasy pole, and the plaiting of the maypole. The public will be entertained with performances by Visage.

"During the week, we expect that there will be performances and drills by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, Her Majesty's Prison Band and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band," adds Wilmott. "But on the day of the festival itself, people will find even more to eat and do. And because we don't want anything to go to waste we invite everyone to come and enjoy the fun."

Camille Edgecombe, 46, has been living in Fox Hill for over 40 years, and as of yet she has no reason to depart from home, she says, especially as Fox Hill Day fast approaches.

"This is a place that I hold dear to her heart," she says. "I've been here from the age of two, and I raised my children in my home that was left to me by mom. That's why me and my children have to celebrate Fox Hill Day with pride because it's a celebration of our home. This is a good community with some good people, and even though we have our bad apples, we will always celebrate our freedom and our community with pride and style."

Fox Hill Festival Celebrations

Friday, Aug. 1

8 p.m. - Official opening of the Eric Wilmott Sr. Fox Hill Festival at the Fox Hill Parade

Junkanoo rush out and fireworks

Saturday, August 2nd: Health Fair

11:00 a.m. - Freedom Park.

6 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Police Band performs, marching band, pop band until 9 p.m.

Monday Aug. 4, Emancipation Day

1:00 a.m. - 8 a.m. - Rush out around the Fox Hill Parade

11:00 a.m. - Ecumenical Service held at the Fox Hill Parade.

1:00 p.m. - Annual free luncheon at Freedom Park.

2 p.m. - Activities at the Fox Hill Parade including climbing the greasy pole, plaiting the Maypole

3 p.m.-7 p.m. - Matinee dance for children seven to 13 years old at the Community Centre.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Meeting "Guard Our Heritage" at Fox Hill Community Centre

Thursday, Aug. 7: Special Town Meeting

7 p.m. - Under the topic: "Guarding our Heritage." This event will feature several guest speakers.

Friday, Aug. 8

7 p.m.- 9 p.m.: Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, followed by youth talent show on Fox Hill Parade.

Tuesday, August 12: Annual Fox Hill Day Celebration

11: 00 a.m. - Services at St. Paul's, Macedonia, Mt. Carey and St. Mark's Baptist Churches

1:00 p.m. - Other festivities include climbing the greasy pole, plaiting of the maypole and performances by Visage. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, Her Majesty's Prison Band and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band will also attend that event.