Three Oaks' 72nd Flag Day Parade celebration to be subject of documentary

THREE OAKS, Mich. -- The Village of Three Oaks is set to hold its 72nd Flag Day celebrations this coming weekend with a full slate of events concluding with the country's "Largest Flag Day Parade" on Sunday, June 9. 

On top of the traditional 5K run, Pet Parade, market, and fireworks, this year's event will be the subject of a national documentary which will be, "a dawn to dusk observational portrait of a community that comes together each June to celebrate the flag and the shared values of small-town America," said organizer Janet Davies.

The creators of the documentary are long-time summer residents, Andrew and Melissa Shea who have premiered their documentaries at world-wide festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, South by Southwest as well as one that was acquired by HBO/Max.

The Flag Day parade in Three Oaks started in 1953, and this year's will start at 3 p.m. 

"The parade honors the American Flag, Veterans, Service Men and Women, The United States and Freedom," said Davies. "The parade averages over 100 units of Veterans, Color Guards, Musical Marching Units, Clowns, Equestrian Groups, Drill Teams, Antique Cars & Trucks, Drum & Bugle Corps and Antique Tractors all display and honor the American Flag in the grandest tradition that only this iconic parade has been exhibiting for six decades."

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, 13 veterans will be honored with Quilts of Valor at Carver Park on the corner of Elm Street and Route 12.

The Quilts of Valor are made by local quilters and let military veterans know that people are thankful for their service and sacrifice in serving the nation.

The 5K will start from Watkins Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday with packet-pick up starting at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $40, and runners must be preregistered. 

The Pet Parade will take place on Saturday as well, with registered pets required to check in by 10:30 a.m. at Carver Park before the event starts at 11 a.m. 

Prizes will be awarded for these categories:

• Look-a-like (pet who looks the most like their handler)
• Comic Relief
• Most Original
• Most Patriotic
• Overall Winner

While Carver Park will host the Quilts of Valor and Pet Parade, it will also be the site of the Flag Day Market and a concert by Craig Turner at 2 p.m. 

The American Legion Post 204 will be holding a fireworks display at dusk on Saturday evening.