PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The biggest Flag Day Parade in the country is now accepting applications.
The 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade is set for Saturday, June 14.
Every year, the Flag Day Parade honors a branch of the military, but this year, Appleton will spotlight both the United States Marine Corps and Navy, which each celebrate 250 years of service in 2025.
This year’s theme is “Honor, Courage, Commitment”: the core values of the United States Marine Corps and Navy.
The Parade Grand Marshal, as always, is the United States Flag. 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. The celebration annually draws more than 50,000 spectators and participants from throughout the state and nation to Appleton.
Organizations interested in participating in the parade must complete and submit an official application before April 15, 2025. Groups can access the applications online. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate this year’s theme, spotlighted branch of the military, and U.S. Flag.
The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N. Oneida Street. The route travels west down W. Wisconsin Avenue to N. State Street, south on N. State Street to W. College Avenue. At W. College Avenue the parade travels east and ends at Drew Street. The event is organized by the Appleton Parade Committee, a group of dedicated community volunteers.
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