74th Flag Day Parade to bring thousands to Appleton

APPLETON, WI—(WISS)— While Washington D.C. will see a military parade to celebrate the birthday of the US Army and President Donald J. Trump on Saturday, a truly patriotic and non-partisan event will be held in Appleton that is all about the US Flag. For the 74th year, the Appleton Flag Day Parade will travel through the streets on June 14th at 2:00 p.m. 

Since 1950, Fox Cities residents have honored “Old Glory” on the second Saturday of June. The celebration brings more than 50,000 spectators and participants from throughout the state and nation to Appleton.

“There’s an unparalleled amount of pride and patriotism in the Fox Cities,” said Corey Otis, Chairperson for the City of Appleton Parades Committee. “The Flag Day Parade provides a showcase for our community’s ingenuity and artistry as well as a reason to come together and celebrate with friends and family.”

The 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade theme is “Honor, Courage, Commitment” – the core values of the United States Marine Corps and Navy, which along with the US Army is celebrating 250 years of service to the nation in 2025.

“The Marines and Navy have defended our freedom since the American Revolution,” said Otis. “Their service and sacrifice have been vital to our nation’s strength, security, and unwavering spirit.”

Grand Marshal of Appleton Flag Day Parade

The parade’s Grand Marshal is the United States Flag. The escort to the U.S. Flag is 83-year-old Bob Lace, a Marine Veteran from Neenah. Lace served during the Vietnam War era. He is well known as the “one-man honor guard” at the Memorial Day and Flag Day Parades in Appleton.

This year’s Honorary Parade Marshal is Retired Rear Admiral Jerry Clusen, a native of Manitowoc. Clusen, a Navy Mustang, served in 14 ranks throughout his 42-year United States Navy Reserve career. He specialized in Navy cryptology, encompassing various intelligence-gathering and information warfare activities, focusing on signals intelligence (SIGINT), cyberspace operations, and electronic warfare (EW).

Schedule of events for Flag Day in Appleton 

8:00 am Downtown Appleton Farm Market

11:30 am Pre-parade concert by Marine Forces Reserve Band from New Orleans

Noon 1st Brigade Band, a Civil War-era band from Watertown

2:00 pm 74th Annual Appleton Flag Day Parade

4:30 pm The Badger Band, with members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band

Parade route and entries

The 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and N. Oneida Street. The route travels west down Wisconsin Avenue to State Street, south on State Street to College Avenue. At College Avenue, the parade turns east and ends at Drew Street. 

Notable entries in the 74th Appleton Flag Day Parade include:

• Nearly 20 musical units, including Navy Band Great Lakes, Marine Forces Reserve Band, 1st Brigade Band, Americanos Alumni Association, The 2/5th’s Party Band, Big Top Brass, and The Badger Band (featuring members of the University of Wisconsin Band). 
• Local marching bands, including all three Appleton public high schools, Valley Troubadours, New Horizons, Lakeside Lutheran High School, the Lutheran Vanguard, and Appleton City Band.
• Veterans organizations, tributes to the Armed Forces, patriotic floats, marching units, antique and collector vehicles, horses, clowns, scooters, fire trucks, tractors, and much, much more!
• Back for more: The Dancing Grannies will return to the Flag Day Parade along with Golden Gals MKE. 
• Pierce Manufacturing and WHBY will hand out free flags to spectators just before the parade begins.

The Appleton Parade Committee, a group of dedicated community volunteers, organizes the event. Follow City of Appleton Parades on Facebook for news and updates on this year’s event. Event details are also available on the City of App