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Press Room Home > Press Releases > Philadelphia's Betsy Ross House To Host Flag Festival
Philadelphia's Betsy Ross House To Host Flag Festival First-time Event Celebrates The Flag June 8-15, 2008

Press Release

Betsy Ross House press release 

PHILADELPHIA’S BETSY ROSS HOUSE TO HOST FLAG FESTIVAL
First-time Event Celebrates The Flag June 8-15, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, February 18, 2008 - The Betsy Ross House will host Philadelphia’s first-ever Flag Festival June 8-15, 2008.  Featuring an exhibit of historic flags, demonstrations by local artisans, book signings and family fun, the event coincides with Flag Week and culminates with a weekend-long Flag Day celebration.

Members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild will demonstrate their skills in the House’s courtyard all week long as they create a giant American flag. In addition, flag experts and historians are scheduled for lectures and book signings throughout the week. The courtyard stage will host a full slate of free, family entertainment.

Visitors can help make history by writing their thoughts about the American flag on a sticky note and adding it to what will become a huge paper flag and an attempt at world record.

The centerpiece of Flag Festival will be unveiled on Sunday, June 8. Local flag historian and author Jeffrey Kohn will curate a gallery exhibition of unique and rarely displayed historic flags. He is culling the best collections from around the country to assemble a world-class exhibit for the birthplace of the Stars and Stripes.

Even more flag fun is planned for the weekend of June 14-15. At noon on Saturday, the Betsy Ross House again hosts the city’s Official Flag Day Celebration, presented by the Philadelphia Flag Day Association. An old-fashioned street fair on Arch Street will feature demonstrations by local artists, food and carnival games. Family-style entertainment is planned all weekend long on a special street stage.   

In Flag Roadshow, visitors are invited to bring their flags along to be appraised by the experts, for a small donation to the Betsy Ross House.

Following is a daily schedule of events (schedule is subject to change):

Sunday, June 8:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Flag Exhibit debuts
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild (PASG) begins construction of a “Betsy Ross” flag
10:30 a.m.-Noon: Soldier’s Life
Noon-2 p.m.: Philadelphia Flag Day Association program
2-2:30 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
3-3:30 p.m.: Joke & Dagger

Monday, June 9:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Flag Exhibit & PASG flag construction continue
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Soldier’s Life
12:30-1 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
1:30-2 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer

Tuesday, June 10:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Flag Exhibit & PASG flag construction continues
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Soldier’s Life
12:30 – 1 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
1:30-2 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer

Wednesday, June 11:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.:  Flag Exhibit & PASG flag construction continue
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:  Soldier’s Life
12:30-1 p.m.:  Colonial Conjurer
1:30-2 p.m.:  Colonial Conjurer

Thursday, June 12:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Flag Exhibit & PASG flag construction continue
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Soldier’s Life
12:30-1 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
1:30-2 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer

Friday, June 13:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Flag Exhibit & Courtyard Flag Exhibit
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Book signings by Jeff Kohn
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Soldier’s Life
12:30-1 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
1:30-2 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
3-4 p.m: Flag lecture by Jeff Kohn

Saturday, June 14:
10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Flag Fest Street Fair & Flag Exhibit
10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Book signings by Jeffrey Kohn
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Soldier’s Life
Noon-1 p.m.: Philadelphia Official Flag Day Ceremony
1:30-2 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
2-2:30 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
2:30-3 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
3-5 p.m.: Flag Roadshow
3-3:30 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
3:30-4 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
5-7 p.m.: Live Music

Sunday, June 15:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Flag Fest Street Fair & Flag Exhibit
10 a.m.-12:30 pm.: Soldier’s Life
12:30-1 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
1-3 p.m.: Flag Roadshow
1-2 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer
2-2:30 p.m.: Joke & Dagger
2:30-3 p.m.: Colonial Conjurer  
3-5 p.m.: Live Music

The Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, is one of Philadelphia’s most visited historic attractions. The House is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through October and Tuesday through Sunday the rest of the year. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors. An audio guide is offered for $5, which includes admission.

For more information about Flag Festival or any of the House’s programs and events, visit www.BetsyRossHouse.org or call (215) 686-1252.

The Betsy Ross House is managed by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. HPI enhances the visitor experience and helps strengthen Philadelphia’s tourism industry through interpretation and interaction, making our nation’s history relevant and real. In addition to the Betsy Ross House, Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s programs include Once Upon A Nation storytelling and Adventure Tours, Franklin Square, and the Lights of Liberty Show. For more information, call (215) 629-4026 or visit www.onceuponanation.org.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Heather Kincade
(267) 278-1505

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