Flag Day Parades and Events in New Jersey

6/9/14 - By Laura J

Nestled between Memorial Day and Independence Day is a salute to the stars and stripes – Flag Day. Although not a federal holiday, June 14th is an official celebration honoring our American patriotic symbol, Old Glory, and commemorated with small town parades, school essay contests, and veterans’ ceremonies. Check out these upcoming New Jersey events and for other fun this month, try our June GO List.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Stroll down Main Street in Clinton and show your patriotic pride! Bikes and wagons are welcomed at the annual Flag Day Parade, scheduled for Friday, June 13 at 6:30pm. This event will also include a bike safety session with the Clinton Police Department, free refreshments and live music.

The 13th Annual Flag Day 5K Run, benefiting Hope for Veterans, will be held on Thursday, June 12 at 7:00pm. This event, open to runners and walkers, supports homeless veterans and families in and around New Jersey. Please note, this year’s event has moved to the Lyons VA Campus of the NJ VA Healthcare System in Bernards Township.

Bridgewater Township will host its first Annual Flag Day Festival on Saturday, June 14. Activities will range from live music and food vendors to historic reenactments and patriotic costume contests. Beginning at 2:00pm, this free event will be held at Duke Island Park. Collections of old cell phone, granola bars, canned foods and more will be coordinate by Operation New Jersey Cares. For a complete list of donation items, click here.

Stretching from 85th Street and Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen to Miller Stadium in West New York, the 74th North Hudson Annual Flag Parade will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 7:00pm. Marching bands, veterans groups and local recreation organizations will rally the street of several Hudson County towns for the ceremony and programs, scheduled for 8:30pm.

The Whitehouse Wind Symphony will host its second annual Flag Day concert on Friday, June 13 at 7:00pm. The free concert will take place on the historic courthouse steps in downtown Flemington. 

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse will celebrate its 250th Anniversary on Saturday, June 14 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Although not a Flag Day event, this event will celebrate with a fife and drum band, lighthouse tours, colonial-era games and more patriotic activities. Additionally, the Revolutionary Ramble Bike Tour through Morris and Somerset counties will be held on June 14th.

Flag Day Fun Facts
The American flag is a source of pride and inspiration for American citizens. Here are some fun facts to get your brood into the Flag Day spirit.

  • The first American flag was sewn by Betsy Ross in May of 1776.
  • Why red, white and blue? To the original members of the Continental Congress, red stood for hardiness and courage, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance and justice.
  • Flag Day did not become official until 1916. That year, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14.
  • The military folds the flag with 13 folds, each with symbolic meaning.
  • Flag Day is observed nationwide, but Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes it as a legal holiday.