Quincy's Flag Day Parade 20224 -Quincy 365

In This Issue of Quincy 365…

📝 Quincy's Flag Day Parade Celebrates 73 Years of Patriotism

📝 Parade Starts @ 7pm

📝 Flag Day History

📝 Where to Park

📝 Flag-raising Ceremony begins @ 8pm

📝 Fireworks @ 9pm

Quincy's Flag Day Parade Celebrates 73 Years of Patriotism

Parade Starts @ 7pm

Quincy’s Annual Flag Day Parade will be held on Saturday, June 15th. The festivities will kick off with the parade at 7 p.m. and include a flag-raising ceremony at Pageant Field at 8:15 p.m., culminating with fireworks over Black’s Creek at approximately 9 p.m.

Flag Day History

The Quincy Flag Day Parade, which began in 1952, is the longest-running Flag Day parade in the United States. Richard Koch, the founder of the youth organization The Koch Club, initiated the parade by leading young people from his club through Norfolk Downs. Koch's primary objective was to foster patriotism among the youth and encourage active participation in the parade rather than merely being spectators.

Over the years, the parade has grown significantly in size and scope. In the 1990s, the organizers added a fireworks display to enhance the celebration further.

This year, the parade will showcase the patriotic spirit of over 1,000 flag-waving children from the city youth programs. The event will also feature an array of entertainment, including bands, drum corps, specialty units, public safety and veterans' color guards, floats, and classic cars, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for participants and spectators alike.

Where to Park

Kilroy Square -$1 per hour.

Quincy High School lot off of Russel Park

Central Middle School

Fenno Street courts

Please note that in preparation for tonight's Flag Day Ceremony and Fireworks, Merrymount Park (Vietnam Veterans Drive) will be closed to the public starting at noon. Additionally, parking will be prohibited on both sides of Merrymount Parkway after 2 p.m. to accommodate the event.

The parade route will begin on Coddington Street by Spear Street, proceeding north along Hancock Street before turning onto Merrymount Parkway and concluding at Vietnam Veterans Drive and Adams Field.

Flag-raising Ceremony begins @ 8pm

At Pageant Field, a 50’ x 80’ flag will be raised to “Grand Ol’ Flag,” followed by a ceremony honoring the grand marshal and the Richard and Simone Koch Award winner. The Crusader Junior Corps and singer Dan Clark will perform patriotic songs.

The Quincy Flag Day Committee will honor Richard “Ratt” Kennedy as the grand marshal this year. Kennedy, president of the Angel Fund for ALS research, has organized the annual “Squirrel Run” in memory of his brother, Jimmy “Squirrel” Kennedy, to raise awareness for ALS.

The Richard and Simone Koch Award will be presented to the Honorable William G. Farrell, an MA District Court Associate Justice. Farrell has been a long-time youth coach and was instrumental in creating Quincy’s first adaptive baseball program, Bambino Buddy Ball, for special athletes.

Fireworks @ 9pm

The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display courtesy of Pyrotecnico Fireworks, the renowned company behind the iconic July 4th show at the Esplanade. This year's fireworks show is generously sponsored by Quirk Auto Dealerships, adding extra excitement to the event.

Before the fireworks, attendees will be treated to the firing of a howitzer, a powerful cannon-like artillery weapon, which will serve as a dramatic prelude to the dazzling display in the sky.