Tales from Utah Valley: Get ready, Flag Week is about to begin
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- Big Betsy, a giant American flag, waves in the breeze after being unfurled with the help of members of the community and Follow the Flag on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.
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- Big Betsy, a giant American flag, waves in the breeze after being unfurled with the help of members of the community and Follow the Flag on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo
Big Betsy, a giant American flag, waves in the breeze after being unfurled with the help of members of the community and Follow the Flag on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.
A favorite week for many is about to begin: Flag Week. Independence Day is coming up on July 4 and, around these parts, the week that it falls in has come to be known as “Flag Week.” Yes, the giant flag will be flying again above Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove. This has become a tradition in Utah County and holds special meaning to so many people.
Nine years ago on the morning of July 4, a giant United States flag was unfurled above the canyon, surprising residents. For days leading up to the event, Pleasant Grove resident Kyle Fox and other volunteers with the Follow the Flag organization promoted on social media a special, surprise patriotic event called “By The Dawn’s Early Light.” The announcements read, “Expect to enjoy patriotism that you can see, hear and feel.” The location of the event was not given until the night before, on July 3.
Since that first time, a giant flag has been unfurled every year in the same spot, something that has become a tradition in Utah County. A new flag has taken the place of the original Big Betsy, although Big Betsy still attends many events year-round. Lady Liberty, measuring 154 feet by 78 feet, will be unfurled on the morning of July 4 at the Ninth Annual Dawn’s Early Light Flag Ceremony, which begins at 7:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to this very special way to start out the Fourth of July.
This year, residents came together on June 24 to voluntarily clean up the area of Grove Creek Canyon’s Trailhead. Trash was thrown away and trails were cleared to prepare for the hundreds of visitors that come to see the giant flag during Flag Week each year.
On June 25, 500 North was filled with people as they helped to carry the giant flag about 1.3 miles from Pleasant Grove’s cemetery up to Grove Creek Canyon Trailhead. Spectators watched the walk or joined in as people made the walk, which is a way to get people excited about the upcoming patriotic festivities each year. Veterans were honored by riding in a jeep parade, along with the flag.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo
Big Betsy, a giant American flag, waves in the breeze after being unfurled with the help of members of the community and Follow the Flag on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.
The flag will hang above the trailhead through July 10. Every year, people walk up to see the beautiful flag, a symbol of freedom and hope, daily during Flag Week. Various activities will coincide with the flying of the flag throughout the week, including a 5K Run2Remember, a blood drive and live music some of the nights below the flag.
Although the flag can be spotted from miles away, there is something very special about seeing it up close, standing below it and thinking about all that it represents. However, seeing it from afar is also a beautiful experience. However you are able to experience it this year, enjoy!
For more information, check out Follow the Flag’s Facebook page or go to http://FollowtheFlag.org.
