Press Release
Greene County is proudly celebrating America 250 with Flag Day 250!
Join your fellow patriots on Sunday, June 14 at the Greene County Fairgrounds as we honor the birth of this great nation and pay tribute to Old Glory during Flag Day 250.
Fun, free, family-friendly activities begin at 4:00 PM, with the Traditional Flag Retirement Ceremony starting at 6:30 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and your American heart — this is a day to remember!
Ten years ago, Sheriff Gene Fischer launched this proud tradition by retiring 175 tattered American flags with the dignity and respect they deserve (burning is the appropriate method of spent flag disposal). Last year, Sheriff Anger retired over 5,000 flags while Veterans’ Services a picnic for our brave veterans and their families.
This year, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Veterans Services, Parks & Trails, and Ag Services have joined forces to make this the biggest and most patriotic celebration yet. We’re expanding this tradition with a free all-American picnic, live entertainment, and activities that will fill every heart with pride in Greene County and the United States of America!
Come celebrate with good old-fashioned American food, toe-tapping entertainment, living history, and unbreakable pride in our flag, our veterans, and our freedom! The free picnic menu includes classic favorites: hot dogs, chips, cookies, SaltyZ Pretzels, and delicious Young’s Dairy ice cream — pure Americana on a plate (while supplies last)! Enjoy live music from The Michelle Robinson Band and Ryan Adams and the SOBs, plus entertainment by Ranger Vic the Juggler, James Edwards Magic, and Jimbo Balloons!
Kids will love the patriotic fun: face painting, bean bag toss, selfie photo booth, obstacle course, coloring contest (see website for rules), and design-your-own patriotic kite.
Watch as characters in historical costumes walk among the crowd, sharing tales of liberty, courage, and the birth of our great Republic. They’ll pose for photos and bring history to life! Thank you to Sons of the American Revolution (Richard Montgomery Chapter) and the Libertas Creative Society for stepping up. Everyone will enjoy seeing the vehicles display –the Sheriff’s SWAT vehicle “Touch-a-Truck”, Batmobile, Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine, Diamond Reo.
Several proud exhibitors will be on hand to share the American story, including: Sons of the American Revolution, the Miami Valley Military History Museum, Veterans’ Services, the Fairborn Veterans’ Coalition, Vetslink211 (United Way), Terri Lynn Art Studio and Gallery, and many more.
Don’t miss the patriotic statue display in the Dining Hall, sponsored by United Way.
For-profit vendors are participating too! Stop by and see Doc Roger’s Honey & Maple Syrup, Sunshine Bookmarks, Baked Butter, Baby Patriot, Kings Country Kitchen, Lolly Soda Shop, and Tang Cat Creations — plus 35 kids vendors!
What’s more American than pie? Be sure to enter your best homemade pie in the Flag Day Pie Contest! Judging begins at 3:00 PM. Full contest rules are posted on the site: www.FlagDay250.com. NOTE: Sign up by 10 June!
The highlight of the day will occur at 6:30: The Flag Retirement Ceremony hosted by Greene County Sheriff Scott Anger with the assistance of other elected officials and community groups. Prosecutor David Hayes will be the Emcee and Commissioner Sarah Mays will sing the National Anthem again this year. Beavercreek VFW 8312, several Scout Troops, and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will also play important roles during the ceremony. You will see and understand how and why the flag is folded in a very special way, hear the sharp pops of the 21-gun salute, and feel the heat of several thousand flags being retired in this time-honored ceremony. This is the 11th year for this special family event. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs, and for those veterans and older attendees who need assistance, the Sheriff has a limited golf-cart shuttle from the parking lot. In addition, in case of excessive heat, there will be a cooling station inside the Dining Hall.
Remember Rosie the Riveter, that strong symbol of American grit and determination during World War II? Our volunteers who meet regularly to identify participants, plan activities, coordinate logistics, and staff the Flag Day event call themselves the “Rosie the Riveter” Committee. Look for their iconic Rosie T-shirts if you need help at the event!
Thank you to our generous donors, without whom this event would not be possible: Xenia Eagles, the Pamela and Bill Dean family, McNamee and McNamee, United Way, Young’s Dairy, Aim Media Midwest, and many organizations that donated pie and coloring contest prizes. To make a tax-deductible donation through Greene Giving for his worthy event, see the link on our website: www.FlagDay250.com
In summary, we are planning a BIG EVENT for Flag Day. For more information, visit www.FlagDay250.com (registration requested but not required). We hope you come to share Greene County’s history, patriotism, and pride!