Donkey Festival in Crofts Hill, a resounding success

The August 6, Independence Day staging of the Crofts Hill Donkey Carnival saw a huge outpouring of support as scores of residents flocked to the venue.

It was an occasion that saw San San Square transformed into a carnival-like setting with the “beast of burden” becoming the main attraction for the enthusiastic crowd.

Organiser Raphael Simpson beamed with pride and declared the event, staged in the sleepy Clarendon community, a resounding success.

He said that having started 14 years ago, the festival has evolved into an annual event with this year’s staging, the most successful.

During the races patrons cheered on their riders on the narrow asphalted roadway, which had been transformed into a racetrack for the day. At close of the races, defending champion Ainsley Morrissey, owner of Ever Ready, last year’s champion, handed over the Champion Trophy to the 2025 winner Rayon Maddix, owner of Maccoroni. The top prize was $25,000.

Clarendon parish manager for the Social Development Commission, Calvin McKenzie endorsed the show as a great addition to the parish’s entertainment value. More than 20 vendors turned out.

“This is a great community activity which has grown beyond the boundaries of Clarendon and we at the SDC are proud to be associated (with it) through the Local Development Economic Support Programme,” McKenzie said.

The consensus is that the occasion could rightly be called “Di donkey racing place” , and the 2026 staging is anxiously awaited.