Call Goes Out: Help Save Freddie

by Melissa Bailey | April 17, 2009 7:29 AM | | Comments (7)

IMG_2863.jpgTyisha Howard (pictured) and her drill team practiced hard last year for their community’s annual Freddie Fixer Parade — only to see the decades-old tradition come to an abrupt stop. Organizers are determined not to let that happen this year.

Thursday they launched a campaign to raise $20,000 so that the parade, a tradition for the city’s African-American community, can continue into its 46th year.

“The community was extremely concerned about not having a parade,” said Maurice Smith, the new parade organizer. His group has come up with a plan to continue the festivities, though with a shorter marching route.

The effort is oen of two campaigns to revive cherished institutions in New Haven’s black community. The other is a drive to reopen the Dixwell Community “Q” House.

The Freddie Fixer Parade was started in 1963 by environmentalist Ed Grant, who used to bring groups of neighbors out with brooms literally to clean up their streets. The fictional character of Freddy Fixer was created as a symbol for sweeping the streets. The parade evolved into a regional magnet for groups displaying black pride. Contingents of marchers — black firefighters and cops, marching bands — would come from several states around. Charitable events would take place in the days preceding the parade.

The tradition continued for 45 years until 2008. That year, organizers canceled the parade amid threats of violence and a budget crisis. The financial strain came when the city announced it would no longer pay for extra-duty cops to staff parades. Smith said the parade organizers just couldn’t afford the bill.

“Even though there were concerns about violence,” said Smith, “the primary reason was we couldn’t pay for police overtime.”

IMG_2855.jpgSmith (pictured) made his remarks Thursday outside the People’s Bank at 265 Church St., where the group will be holding a donation drive for the next month. Anyone who wants to contribute can walk in the door with a donation and deposit it in the account for Freddy Fixer, Inc. Checks can also be made out to Freddy Fixer, Inc., and mailed to 37 Blake St., New Haven, CT, 06511.

Smith said if every African-American in the city pays one dollar, there’ll be enough money to continue the tradition this year. Even if he doesn’t get the funds before May 17, his group plans to go ahead, Smith said.

“The city is going to work with us” on a payment schedule, he said. “We’re having the parade.”

This year’s lineup of events includes a community cleanup on May 9; an annual Drill-o-Rama and a community basketball game on May 16; and finally the parade, which is set to start at 1 p.m. on May 17 at Dixwell Avenue and Morse Street.

Tyisha and her drill team, the Nation, have been practicing nonstop to compete the Drill-o-Rama. Her drill team is one of 50 to 60 groups expected to join the parade.

To participate, or for more info, call 562-3329 or 558-0066.







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Comments

Posted by: Walt | April 17, 2009 10:43 AM

Good to see Ed Grant recognized as key man in organization of Freddy Fixer Parade. Sole credit usually goes only to Dr. Smith but I remember Grant as the impetus for the celebration.

In reality they probably both deserve kudos.

Congrats to the new leadership too, for not crying discrimination and demanding free services.

I'll kick in a few bucks , although I have never seen the Parade.

Posted by: jawbone | April 17, 2009 11:46 AM

Idea:
Collapse the three major "ethnic pride" parades into one big multicultural parade/celebration.
Save some money and bring some people together. Hell, throw the gospel fest and columbus day into the mix and you'll have a festival that will garner some national attention. Sort of a 'street level' arts and ideas kind of thing.

Posted by: Edward_H | April 18, 2009 11:45 AM

Smith said if every African-American in the city pays one dollar, there'll be enough money to continue the tradition this year.

Is there a suggested donation for other races/ethnicities?

Posted by: DAFeder | April 20, 2009 12:17 PM

Well, Edward_H, for starters I bet they'd like you to cut them a little slack!

David

Posted by: stylene | April 21, 2009 8:23 AM

people are struggling just to pay their everyday expenses. unfortunately, no one has extra money to give, and if they do, they use it to pay the city taxes. lol

Posted by: tyisha howard | April 21, 2009 12:07 PM

if they were to cancel the freddy fixer parade this year it would be a big disapointment to my self and other members of the Nation drill team. We are very happy now that the parade will go on dispite what happen last year for that reason of it being cancelled. Thank everyone for their support.

Posted by: HELEN | May 4, 2009 3:41 PM

THE FIRST AFRO-AMERICIAN WOMEN TO HEAD AN PARADE
DID AN GREAT JOB,SHE HAD HELP FROM VARIOUS GROUP'S,ORGANIZATION'S,AND MANY PEPLE TO DONATE THEIR TIME IN GETTING THINGS DONE.THE PARADE NEVER MENTION HER THINGS SHE DID,STARING DRILL-O-RAMA,BREAKFAST, AND HAVING PARADE MARSHALL'S OUR
MOTTO'FIX-UP-CLEAN UP,'THE PARADE DIDN'T START IN
HAMDEN AREA THAT'S DIFFERENT TOWN.THE PARADE ALWAY'S BEGIN AT SHELTON & BASSETT ST AND CAME INTO THE DIWELL NEIGHBORHOOD,HAD REVIEWING STAND
AT BOWEN FIELD,LATER CHANGE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA
ALSO THERE ARE SOME ORGINAL MEMBER'S LEFT,AND IF DON'T HAVE ONE THIS YEAR, THINK OF 50TH ANIV AND
THE BIGGEST FREDDY FIXER,INC REVISED BETTER THAN
EVER,HOMETOWN ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY SHOWING PHOTOES FROM 1962- UNTIL PRESENT,GETTING SOME OF PAST GRAND-MARSHAL'S COME BACK,TO MARK HISTORY FOR YOUNG IN NEW HAVEN,HAVE ED GRANT EXPLAIN ABOUT THE RECYCLE PLANT,KING AND QUEEN
FROM THE PAST HOME,GET THE BAND'S AND DJ'FOR THE
MUSIC ACTIVITIES,DINNER-DANCE,BREAKFAST,FUN-
RASING PROJECT'S FOR MONEY.LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD SPONSORING AND HAVING FLOAT'S AGAIN BACK TO ORGINAL THEME.DRILL TEAM'S PERFORMING AT BOWEN FIELD AND NOT IN THE STREET'S DRAWING BIG CROWD'S THAT CAN'T HANDLE VOLUTEER'S DAY OF PARADE.ANY QUESTION'S CALL SOME OF THE OLD TIMERS
FOR HELP AND IDEAS.

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