Horizon West\u2019s Kevin Kelly grew up in Boston celebrating Flag Day every year. The childhood memories sparked an idea for Hamlin to host its first parade in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I moved to Horizon West, I knew this was the kind of community where we could create something just as meaningful, something families could look forward to for years to come,\u201d Kelly said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hamlin will host The Hamlin All-American Flag Parade, just one of the festivities in West Orange County to celebrate America\u2019s 250th birthday. The parade is a free, family-friendly event taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thanks to community advocate Austin Arthur, local organizations, Horizon West Happenings and Hamlin, Kelly\u2019s idea now is coming to fruition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly important for communities like ours to come together as Americans, and while our focus is here in West Orange, this is something every community in the country should be doing,\u201d Arthur said. \u201cEver since I was a kid, I was drawn to American history, so to be living in a time where we are celebrating 250 years of this country and to play a small role in honoring that, is something I don\u2019t take lightly \u2014 it is a blessing to have the chance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Check-in, vendors and activities open to the public at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
From 10 to 10:30 a.m., a patriotic ceremony will take place featuring the Horizon West American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From 10:30 to 11 a.m., a 1-mile American flag walk will take place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees will enjoy more festivities, vendors, food trucks, kids activities and a live band.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event is dedicated to honoring the official United States flags throughout history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two of the most meaningful moments of the event will be the dedication of a new American flagpole in Hamlin, as well the burial of a community time capsule that will be opened in 50 years for America\u2019s 300th anniversary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor years, I have hoped to create something truly meaningful for America\u2019s 250th anniversary here at Hamlin,\u201d said Heather Easterling, event director and public relations for Hamlin. \u201cThis event is that moment, bringing together community, history and patriotism in a way that will leave a lasting legacy through the flagpole and the time capsule.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her hope is to make this event an annual tradition.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from The Hamlin All-American Flag Parade will support programs serving local veterans through the Horizon West American Legion Post 419.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All attendees will receive a complimentary handheld American flag, encouraging community members to continue to display their patriotism.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope attendees take away a feeling of unity,\u201d Arthur said. \u201cI hope they look around at the event and see many different types of people, all walks of life, all backgrounds, all income levels, and they look and say, \u2018Wow, we really are one.\u2019 I think our community can benefit from that kind of unity, and that\u2019s really what it\u2019s all about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n