There will be a new element Wednesday when the community celebrates Flag Day at Fort Vancouver.
The 5 p.m. observance will feature an American flag on the recently installed 80-foot flagpole near the bandstand on the parade ground at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
The new flagpole on the Vancouver Barracks location along Officers Row was dedicated on Memorial Day.
There also will be a new timetable for the 23rd annual observance. Previous Flag Day programs were held earlier in the afternoon as part of a nationwide observance.
“That was not convenient for people at work or in school,” so the event was moved to 5 p.m., said Toni Wise, Fort Vancouver National Trust program manager.
The event includes the Pledge of Allegiance and the annual Clark County mayors’ patriotic tie competition, judged by local fifth-grade students.
Children’s activities will be set up around the bandstand. They include coloring and drawing Washington’s state symbols; patriotic songs; soldier-style marching; and landmark detecting.
Although anyone may participate, Brownie Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to earn their “celebrating community” badge by completing the activities. Go to fortvan.org/flagday and click on the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington link for more information.
The observance is formally called Fort Vancouver National Trust Flag Day Celebration presented by Davidson Insurance representing Pemco Insurance.
Flag Day at Fort Vancouver is one of several free Celebrate Freedom programs organized by the nonprofit Fort Vancouver National Trust.
