The 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade returns on Flag Day this year: June 14, at 2:00 p.m. Fox Cities residents have honored “Old Glory” on the second Saturday every June since 1950. The celebration annually attracts more than 50,000 spectators and participants from throughout the state and nation to Appleton.
“There’s an unparalleled amount of pride and patriotism in the Fox Cities,” said Corey Otis, Chairperson for the City of Appleton Parades Committee. “The Flag Day Parade provides a showcase for our community’s ingenuity and artistry as well as a reason to come together and celebrate with friends and family.”
The theme of the 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade is “Honor, Courage, Commitment”: these are the core values of the United States Marine Corps and Navy. 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: each celebrates 250 years of service in 2025. “The Marines and Navy have defended our freedom since the American Revolution,” said Otis. “Their service and sacrifice have been vital to our nation’s strength, security, and unwavering spirit.” (NOTE: The U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday on June 14; this branch of the military was highlighted in last year’s Appleton Flag Day Parade.)
The Parade Grand Marshal, as always, is the United States Flag. The escort to the U.S. Flag is United States Marine Veteran Bob Lace of Neenah. Lace, 83, served during the Vietnam War era, and he is well known as the “one-man honor guard” at the Memorial Day and Flag Day Parades in Appleton. (For more information, please visit https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hometown-heroes/hometown-heroes-robert-lace-of-neenah-selected-as-grand-marshal-for-nations-oldest-flag-day-parade/.)
This year’s Honorary Parade Marshal is Retired Rear Admiral Jerry Clusen, a native of Manitowoc. Clusen, a Navy Mustang, served in 14 ranks throughout his over 42-year career in the United States Navy Reserve. He specialized in Navy cryptology which encompasses a range of intelligence-gathering and information warfare activities, focusing on signals intelligence (SIGINT), cyberspace operations, and electronic warfare (EW). (For more information, please visit https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2350558/rear-admiral-gerald-clusen/ and https://www.wearegreenbay.com/hometown-heroes/hometown-hero-jerry-clusen-turns-passion-into-lifelong-career-with-navy-reserve/.)
The fun begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, with the Downtown Appleton Farm Market. At 11:30 a.m., Houdini Plaza will host a pre-parade concert by the Marine Forces Reserve Band from New Orleans, Louisiana. At 12:00, the 1st Brigade Band, a Civil War era band from Watertown, will perform.
The 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 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.
Notable entries in the 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade include:
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.
WFRV Local 5 will broadcast the 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade at 10:35 p.m. on both June 14 and 21. The Flag Day Parade will be live streamed on the WFRV Facebook page and wearegreenbay.com.
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://appletonwi.gov/community/appleton_parades/flag_day.php
