Quincy Flag Day Parade

The City of Quincy and Mayor Thomas Koch have announced that the nation’s longest-running Flag Day Parade will take place on Saturday, June 10th. The parade will step-off at 7 p.m. and be followed by a flag-raising ceremony at  Pageant Field at 8:15 p.m. The night will culminate with fireworks over Black’s Creek at approximately  9:00 p.m. 

The parade will launch on Coddington Street by Spear Street, head north up Hancock Street, turn onto  Merrymount Parkway and wrap up at Vietnam Veterans Drive and Adams Field. This year’s parade will  feature 10 bands/drum corps, more than a dozen specialty units, public safety and veterans’ color guards, floats, and more than 1,000 flag-waving youngsters. 

Musical performers this year will include Windjammer Dixieland Band, Boston Crusaders Sr. Drum  Corps, Defenders Sr. Drum Corps, Branches Steel band, Uncle Sam’s Patriotic Band, Northeast Italian  Band, Quincy/North Quincy Marching Band, New Magnolia Jazz Band, Old Colony Bag Pipe Band, and  the Roma Band. 

The Flag Day Parade was started by Richard (Dick) Koch Sr. in 1952 when he led a group of youngsters  around Norfolk Downs and finished with a flag-raising at Cavanagh Stadium. The parade has grown  significantly through the years and fireworks were added in the 1990s. 

“There’s no greater tradition in our city than the Flag Day Parade,” said Mayor Tom Koch. “It is an  incredible community celebration of our flag and the values that it represents. It is the unofficial kick off to summer and always the best day of the year. I am looking forward to seeing the thousands of  people that join in the celebration that evening.”

At Pageant Field, the 50’ x 80’ flag will be raised over the crowd to the tune of “Grand Ol’ Flag.” A  

ceremony recognizing the Grand Marshal and the Richard and Simone Koch Award winner will follow.  Singer Dan Clark will entertain the audience with a medley of patriotic tunes. 

The evening will commence with a fireworks show over Black’s Creek from Pyrotecnico Fireworks  (formerly Atlas Fireworks); the same company that performs the July 4th show at the Esplanade. 

Added Mayor Koch, “Its great to see so many new faces enjoying our City’s traditions. This event  represents the best of our community with so many local organizations, youth groups, and residents  participating in the parade. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this wonderful event.”