The World's Largest Flag Day Parade

You know that summer has arrived full-tilt in Michigan's Great Southwest when the streets of Three Oaks fill up for the World's Largest Flag Day Parade. That great event celebrates 64 years this coming Sunday, June 12, 2016 when the parade steps off at 3pm sharp following a 2:30pm flag raising ceremony at the corner or Elm & Maples street and a WWII military fly-over of downtown Three Oaks to kick off the 64th Annual Parade.

Continuously growing, the Three Oaks Flag Day event has advanced over the years to include an entire weekend of events. This year’s weekend-long event will feature music, children activities, fireworks on Saturday night and the main event – the World’s Largest Flag Day Parade. The 64-year celebration is the long-time community tradition of honoring the American Flag, Veterans of all wars, current service men and women, our country, and our freedom.

Brittney DeRuiter is Flag Day Parade Chair. She tells us, “This weekend is not only a tradition for friends and family to gather, it is the time when our community becomes the place for neighboring communities to join in for a fun filled weekend of pride for our nation and service men and women.”

The 64th Three Oaks Flag Day Parade will follow a route starting at Buckeye Street and then moves south on Elm Street and turns east on Linden Street, ending at the American Legion. This patriotic parade is free to attend and includes over 100 entries of entertainment and floats of patriotic pride.

The 2016 Flag Day Parade will be honoring Grand Marshall, Herald Zieger, who served with the Fighting 69th in France and Germany from January to May 1945 and helped liberate three concentration camps. After the procession, parade awards will be awarded to the best overall parade entry, most patriotic, and category awards for best of class. The awards ceremony will start at 5:15pm at the Three Oaks American Legion after the commencement of the parade.

The weekend will hold both free and small cost fun. The Kid Zone, held on Saturday, June 11, 2016, from 12-8pm, and on Sunday, June 12, 2016, from 12-6pm, will have family friendly attractions, an all ages talent show and a pedal pull. The highly attended, Art in the Park will include food and craftsmanship vendors, the annual Pet Parade, and much more! The entertainment continues with live music from Crowhaven on Friday night, Hired Hands and Highnoon on Saturday night and Ol’ Style Band on Sunday evening at the Three Oaks Flag Day Entertainment Tent at the American Legion Post 204. Live entertainment will also be available at the Featherbone Restaurant with Crossroads Band on Friday and Bone Naked on Saturday night.

Kathie DeRuiter is Chair of the Kid Zone. She says, “We are excited to be adding a fireworks display on June 11 this year.” And adds, “We will have plenty of room at St. Mary’s Field to allow for people to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy a beautiful display on Saturday evening.”

For the past 63 years, the Three Oaks Flag Day Parade has been able to give back to the community with a parade honoring the American Flag, Veterans of all wars, current service men and women, our country and our freedom. 2016 Red Sponsors include the Pokagon Fund, Four Winds Casino, Tom Rossman StateFarm, New Buffalo Savings Bank, Sherrill Family Farms, Drier’s Meat Market, ALB Studios, Shepherd Hardware, Meijer and DeRuiter’s Greenhouse. For more information please visit, www.threeoaksflagday.com.

Here is additional Information about the bands

Friday, June 10, 2016 from 9pm – 1am

Crowhaven
Rock to some of the greatest Southern Rock Music in a thrilling performance by Crowhaven. The Crowhaven Band was formed in 1975 by Steve Ross. In 1978 the Crowhaven Band opened up for the legendary Joe Cocker in South Bend Speedway. In 1982 Crowhaven opened for the band Survivor in New Buffalo, Michigan. Crowhaven’s two original members are lead guitarist from Nashville, Tennessee “Slide Man” Steve Ross and drummer Greg Ostroski.

Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 5pm – 8pm

Hired Hands
Hired Hands is a band formed locally in Southwest Michigan by five musicians that just want to entertain. Hired Hands performs a variety of music that you can dance to or just sit back and enjoy. They perform songs by artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Grateful Dead, and Nickelback plus their own originals.

Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 9pm – 1am

High Noon
In spite of modest beginnings in an Indiana basement in the early 90’s, High Noon has developed into one of the most recognized and accomplished bands in the region. Their eclectic tastes and talents allow them to cover all genres of music from rock to country and old to new. They have what it takes to keep crowds dancing, and coming back for more! High Noon’s intense energy on the stage combining old favorites, the chart toppers and their own original music is sure to be a show-stopper. Though the guys love being on stage and have tons of fun, they also are very serious about their music. High Noon has won several Country Showdowns as well as runner-ups for the Indiana Illinois State Finals.