Batavia flag manufacturer to give tours on the 100th anniversary of Flag Day
It isn't every day the public can watch the manufacture of the American flag. Even rarer is the opportunity to tour a flag manufacturer on the 100th anniversary of Flag Day. Batavia business FlagSource, 951 Swanson Drive, is conducting four tours Tuesday, June 14.
Because a Batavia resident, Dr. Bernard Cigrand, is often called the "Father of Flag Day" for all his efforts to create this designation, Batavia is planning a grand celebration for the observance.
Jeffery Schielke, Batavia's mayor and an avid local historian, finds it apt that FlagSource's headquarters are in Batavia.
"Given the unique and strong historical connection that Batavia enjoys in the story of how American Flag Day was commenced, it is something of a modern day rendezvous with our nation's past that FlagSource built its impressive manufacturing facility here in our town," Schielke remarked. "As a recognized leader in producing American flags of all sizes, which are distributed to a worldwide market, there is a sense of local historic irony that FlagSource flies its production in the town credited with being the home of the man known as being the founder of National Flag Day June 14 of each year."
The tours take place at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 5 p.m. and are free to attend. Organizers do encourage attendees to donate to the Batavia 100th Anniversary of Flag Day. A committee member will attend each tour to give more information about the evening festivities at the Batavia Riverwalk and to facilitate donations.
Because only 25 people can tour at one time, those interested should sign up for their preferred time on the Batavia Flag Day website, www.bataviaflagday.com/flagsource-tours/, or by emailing info@bataviaflagday.com. Each tour will take 30 to 45 minutes.
Limited-edition flags finished on the 100th Anniversary of Flag Day will be available for purchase at the tours for $25 each. The 3-ft. by 5-ft. flag is made of nylon with embroidered stars. They will also be available at the 100th Anniversary of Flag Day Celebration that takes place at 7 p.m. at the Batavia Riverwalk later that day. A numbered certificate guaranteeing its authenticity of assembly on the 100th Anniversary of Flag Day accompanies each flag. Cash only is accepted.
More information about all the festivities surrounding Batavia's celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Flag Day is available at www.bataviaflagday.com.
FlagSource has grown to become a provider of custom printed and manufactured material products since its founding in 1920 as J.C. Shultz/the FlagSource. The family-owned company operates in Batavia with a commitment to quality, growth and integrity. Janice Christiansen, along with her two sons, Jon and Spencer, manage the business. More history, company information and an online catalog is available at flagsource.com.