June 14, 1777 was a day in history as the 2nd Continental Congress adopted “Old Glory” as America’s national symbol. President Wilson’s 1916 Proclamation declared the 14th of June as Flag Day. For many years to follow communities around the nation celebrated the nations flag and in 1949 President Truman designated June 14th as national Flag Day in the Congressional Legislation.
Three Oaks, Michigan combined community pride and honoring “Old Glory” with a community parade. Starting on the evening of June 14, 1953 the first Flag Day Parade was organized by Herb Flick and sponsored by the Three Oaks American Legion Post 204. Assisting Mr. Flick was Jacob Weigandt, Ben Drier Jr. and Keith Gridly.
Together they created an event of approximately 20 units composed of post colors, drill teams and mounted units. The parade started and ended at the Three Oaks American Legion and ended with a flag raising ceremony. Following this patriotic ceremony, the Three Oaks American Legion Auxiliary made sandwiches and had refreshments for the marchers.
Herb Flick was chairman of the Parade for 18 years and in his efforts the parade continuously grew. By 1960 the parade had 50 units, with a crowd of 3000 lining the streets to watch, and in 1971 the parade contained 80 units. To continue the tradition George Grosse took over the task of organizing the parade in 1972 and 1973. He stated, in 1973, that the Three Oaks Flag Day Parade was the largest of its kind in the nation, and that statement was verified from the record number of units that participated in that year’s parade.
In 1976 Rose Marie Bleicher, representing the Three Oaks American Legion Auxiliary, organized the parade. After ’76 the Three Oaks Jaycee’s then supported the parade followed by the Three Oaks Men’s Club from 1977-1980. Through the years the parade grew from a Sunday event to a three-day event which included the Flag Day Beer tent.
Lou Przybylinski, supported by Three Oaks Lion’s Club, was chairman of the parade from early 1980’s to 1995. Following Mr. Przybylinski, Karen Gear organized the parade until 2006 as a nonprofit organization. In 1996 Ava Koebel and Matthew Keller were crowned the very first Flag Day Prince and Princess. Nancy Burns and Rachel Lang ran the parade the next few years until 2010.
In 2010 the Flag Day Committee was reorganized. The committee was ran by Brian Crawford Greene and Larry Shawver and the parade was organized by Gail Freehling and Greg Grosse. Following their success the 2011 Flag Day Committee formed a board of directors to continue the growth and development for the continuation of a 60 year Flag Day Parade, with the participation and support from the community and those surrounding it.
The parade strives to honor the American Flag, Veterans, Service Men and Women, the United States of America and its National Freedom! Today, the parade averages over 100 units of Veterans, Color Guards, Musical Marching Units, Clowns, Equestrian Groups, Drill Teams, Antique Cars and Trucks, Drum and Bugle Corps and Antique Tractors all displaying and honoring the American Flag in the grandest tradition that only this iconic parade has been exhibiting for six decades.
Over the years, Three Oaks has expanded their celebration of the Nation to a whole weekend. Offering art, music, kids activities and more. The Honor of America and its unwavering freedom was celebrated for the 65th year in 2017! The 2019 festival was full of fun, patriotism and community. We were honored to have over 120 units in 2019 as well as a fly over from a WWII War Bird. We thank all the sponsors and generous volunteers that make the parade possible.
Please come and celebrate with us 71 years in 2023.
Three Oaks, Michigan combined community pride and honoring “Old Glory” with a community parade. Starting on the evening of June 14, 1953 the first Flag Day Parade was organized by Herb Flick and sponsored by the Three Oaks American Legion Post 204. Assisting Mr. Flick was Jacob Weigandt, Ben Drier Jr. and Keith Gridly.
Together they created an event of approximately 20 units composed of post colors, drill teams and mounted units. The parade started and ended at the Three Oaks American Legion and ended with a flag raising ceremony. Following this patriotic ceremony, the Three Oaks American Legion Auxiliary made sandwiches and had refreshments for the marchers.
Herb Flick was chairman of the Parade for 18 years and in his efforts the parade continuously grew. By 1960 the parade had 50 units, with a crowd of 3000 lining the streets to watch, and in 1971 the parade contained 80 units. To continue the tradition George Grosse took over the task of organizing the parade in 1972 and 1973. He stated, in 1973, that the Three Oaks Flag Day Parade was the largest of its kind in the nation, and that statement was verified from the record number of units that participated in that year’s parade.
In 1976 Rose Marie Bleicher, representing the Three Oaks American Legion Auxiliary, organized the parade. After ’76 the Three Oaks Jaycee’s then supported the parade followed by the Three Oaks Men’s Club from 1977-1980. Through the years the parade grew from a Sunday event to a three-day event which included the Flag Day Beer tent.
Lou Przybylinski, supported by Three Oaks Lion’s Club, was chairman of the parade from early 1980’s to 1995. Following Mr. Przybylinski, Karen Gear organized the parade until 2006 as a nonprofit organization. In 1996 Ava Koebel and Matthew Keller were crowned the very first Flag Day Prince and Princess. Nancy Burns and Rachel Lang ran the parade the next few years until 2010.
In 2010 the Flag Day Committee was reorganized. The committee was ran by Brian Crawford Greene and Larry Shawver and the parade was organized by Gail Freehling and Greg Grosse. Following their success the 2011 Flag Day Committee formed a board of directors to continue the growth and development for the continuation of a 60 year Flag Day Parade, with the participation and support from the community and those surrounding it.
The parade strives to honor the American Flag, Veterans, Service Men and Women, the United States of America and its National Freedom! Today, the parade averages over 100 units of Veterans, Color Guards, Musical Marching Units, Clowns, Equestrian Groups, Drill Teams, Antique Cars and Trucks, Drum and Bugle Corps and Antique Tractors all displaying and honoring the American Flag in the grandest tradition that only this iconic parade has been exhibiting for six decades.
Over the years, Three Oaks has expanded their celebration of the Nation to a whole weekend. Offering art, music, kids activities and more. The Honor of America and its unwavering freedom was celebrated for the 65th year in 2017! The 2019 festival was full of fun, patriotism and community. We were honored to have over 120 units in 2019 as well as a fly over from a WWII War Bird. We thank all the sponsors and generous volunteers that make the parade possible.
Please come and celebrate with us 71 years in 2023.