Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Foxes on Front scavenger hunt

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Foxes on Front scavenger hunt

There are now 10 little foxes hiding along Front Street in historic Georgetown – and each one offers a glimpse into the town’s rich past.

Coined “Foxes on Front,” community leaders and groups dedicated to celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary have teamed up to create a fun scavenger hunt, called a “Fox Hunt” in the historic city.

This project was made possible by the South Carolina Chapter of the Colonial Dames of America, Georgetown County 250 Committee, South Carolina 250, Georgetown County Museum, Georgetown County government, the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, and more. The Chamber led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for fox hunt on June 30 at the Kaminski House Museum.

Kenneth Baeszler, chair of the Georgetown County 250 Committee, said Foxes on Front is one of several ways the county is commemorating this momentous occasion. The partnerships for this event were developed through the Colonial Dames, he said, who asked Georgetown County 250 to assist in the development of an educational grant for the project.

“This is a permanent attraction that will ensure and invite visitor participation from near and far,” he said. “It’s a great way to explore Front Street and learn something about our local history.”

Baeszler said that he hopes people — both locals and tourists — will participate in the Foxes on Front scavenger hunt.

“Please don’t be shy about going on the Fox Hunt,” he said. “You’ll find yourself being pleasantly surprised when you discover one of the hidden foxes and enjoy the satisfaction of successfully completing the hunt. Then you can go reward yourself with a nice ice cream.”

Events, which included Carolina Day, Exploring Georgetown, Carolina Kids Day, a Georgetown Patriots Tour, and culminated with a music concert on the lawn of the Kaminski House Museum and fireworks over Georgetown Harbor on July 4^th, and The Great Georgetown Cookout at Maritime Park on Front Street on July 5^th.

About Foxes on Front

The foxes are small bronze sculptures depicting characters from the Revolutionary War period of American history. Here are the locations where the foxes can be found, but you still must do a careful search to find them, as they are small and hidden.

• Francis, which represents Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox,” is at the Georgetown County Museum;
• Sarge, as in Seargent Donald McDonald, a Scottish soldier who joined the fight for freedom, is hiding near the Town Clock;
• Doc, as in Dr. Charles Fyffe, who helped treat the wounded soldiers in the war, is at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 531 Front St.;
• Eliza, as in Eliza Pinckney who helped make indigo a very profitable crop in the American colonies, is watching over the garden at the Kaminski House Museum;
• Christopher, which represents Christopher Gadsden, a patriot who created the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, is in Constitution Park;
• Horry, as in Peter Horry, who served under the Swamp Fox and for whom Horry County is named, is staying inside the South Carolina Maritime Museum;
• Thomas, which represents Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence who lived at Hopsewee Plantation south of Georgetown, is with his mother at Rainey Park;
• Oscar, as in Oscar Marion, an enslaved African who fought bravely with Francis Marion, is waiting in Francis Marion Park;
• and Lafayette, which represents Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat who became a major general in the Continental Army and played a pivotal role in securing American independence, is outside near the Town Clock.

There are nine sculptures but 10 total foxes, since Thomas is with his mother. The public is invited to obtain a Foxes on Front brochure from the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 531 Front St. and search for the foxes hidden in the various locations. Once people find all of the foxes, they can stop by the Georgetown County Museum at 120 Broad St. to collect a reward.

Beth Stedman, president and CEO of the Chamber, urges people who are interested in the Revolutionary history of Georgetown to give Foxes on Front a whirl.

“Kids of every age can have a great time seeking the 10 little foxes hidden around the historic city of Georgetown,” she said. “It is a great way to have fun while learning about some of the important figures in our area. How many can you find?”

Flo Phillips, a member of Georgetown County 250 and one of the main organizers for the hunt, said she is thrilled to create something new that will help children appreciate history. She is a former longtime teacher in the area, the director of Flo’s Kids Camps, and author of several children’s books, including “Goodnight Pawleys” and “Good Night Colonial Georgetown”.

“I’ve been working with children forever, but lately I have been teaching history because of America 250 and I have learned things that I had not learned before,” Phillips said. “It is so interesting!”

During the ribbon cutting celebration, Phillips was signing copies of her book, “Foxes on Front”, illustrated by Janice Coward and written for children and adults who would like to learn about the contributions of Georgetown County during the Revolutionary War.

She said she tries to make her books interesting for young learners

“I wasn’t a good student because things were too dull for me,” Phillips said. “I try to make it fun so they can learn these things.”

She explained that she had to figure out a way to get the foxes to downtown, so she wrote about the little foxes overhearing fisherman about America’s 250^th anniversary called the Scecentenial.

They had to google it to figure it out, she said. Then they came into town and decided to dress up like different characters.

“I think it is cute,” Phillips said. “It’s got beautiful pictures and it has feathers hiding all through it to keep the little children interested.”

She said she enjoyed working with illustrator Janice Coward on this book.

“She is fabulous and she is from England, so we’ve had a good time going through the Colonial days and the British and everything else,” Phillips said.

She also enjoyed working with Bryan Rapp, the sculptor who created the bronze foxes. Rapp said he was also excited to be part of the fun community activity. He said creating the foxes in bronze was a learning experience for him, too.

“I started looking at the different characteristics of foxes and their habitat, as well as what they look like when they move,: Rapp said. “I tried to capture their typical movements.”

“People can move around them and interact with them, and even get pictures taken,” Rapp said. “They begin to take on a life themselves, and they become part of the memory and storytelling that will go on for generations.”

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®