News - Appleton Flag Day Parade

News Release

Celebrate Flag Day in Appleton on June 8

APPLETON, Wis. -- Get ready to rock: The 73rd Flag Day Parade returns to Appleton at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. 

The theme of this year’s Appleton Flag Day Parade is “Rockin’ in the U.S.A.” Fox Cities residents have honored “Old Glory” on the second Saturday in June since 1950, making the Appleton Flag Day Parade the nation’s oldest. This year’s event includes several pre- and post-parade events. “It’s more than just a parade,” said Corey Otis, City of Appleton Parades Committee Chairperson. “It’s a time to cherish our community, celebrate America, and have some fun.” The celebration annually attracts more than 50,000 spectators and participants from throughout the state and nation to Appleton. 

The fun begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with the Downtown Appleton Farm Market. At noon, Houdini Plaza will host a pre-parade concert by the 484th Army Band of Chicago/Milwaukee. 

At 12:30, the 1st Brigade Band, a Civil War era band from Watertown, will perform outside The 10th Frame (618 W. Wisconsin Avenue). There is no charge for admission, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs. 

The 73rd Appleton Flag Day Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N. Oneida Street. The route travels west down Wisconsin Avenue to State Street, south on State Street to College Avenue. At College Avenue, the parade turns east and ends at Drew Street. 

                        Flag Day Parade Route                                     Chip Waters, Escort to the U.S. Flag.

The Parade Grand Marshal, as always, is the United States Flag. Every year, the Flag Day Parade honors a branch of the military, and this year’s event spotlights the United States Army. The escort to the U.S. Flag is Chip Waters, a Vietnam-era Army veteran who turned a hobby into a way of “paying it forward” to others who served. On top of regularly volunteering, Waters began “Chip’s Stix” as a way to provide walking sticks to veterans organizations. Learn more about Chip Waters: https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hometown-heroes/hometown-hero-how-an-army-veteran-turned-a-hobby-into-a-way-to-pay-it-forward/. 

Other notable entries in the 73rd Appleton Flag Day Parade include:

• Nearly 20 bands, including 484th Army Band, 1st Brigade Band, Americanos Alumni Association, The Positions, The 2/5th’s Party Band, The Del Ray’s, Big Top Brass, The Badger Band (featuring members of the University of Wisconsin Band). 

• Local marching bands, including all three Appleton public high schools, Valley Troubadours, New Horizons, Lakeside Lutheran High School, the Lutheran Vanguard, and Appleton City Band.

• Veterans organizations, tributes to the Armed Forces, patriotic floats, marching units, antique and collector vehicles, horses, clowns, scooters, fire trucks, tractors, and much, much more!

• Back for more: In addition to our legacy units, the Dancing Grannies of Milwaukee and Elite Striders of Chicago will return to the Flag Day Parade. 

• Pierce Manufacturing and WHBY will hand out free flags to spectators just before the parade begins.

The celebration continues after the parade. In Houdini Plaza, The Badger Band, featuring members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, will play music from the “Fifth Quarter.” The free performance is expected to begin around 4:30 and last approximately 20 minutes.

"The Flag Day Parade embodies the power of patriotism in our community, where we come together to celebrate the spirit of America," said Corey Otis, Chairperson for the City of Appleton Parades Committee. "It's a cherished tradition that showcases our shared pride and reverence for the values that unite us as a nation.”

The event is organized by the Appleton Parade Committee, a group of dedicated community volunteers. Follow City of Appleton Parades on Facebook for news and updates on this year’s event. Event details are also available on the City of Appleton website: https://www.appleton.org/visitors/appleton-parades/flag-day-parade. 

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Media Contact
Meghan Warner - Parade Liaison
City of Appleton Parades Committee
920-954-9112 - appletonparades@gmail.com