Three Oaks Gears Up for Annual Flag Day Celebrations

The town's iconic parade and festival will honor veterans and American freedom over three days in June.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:00pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of a lively parade with colorful flags, marching bands, and cheering crowds, conveying the celebratory mood of the Three Oaks Flag Day festivities.The vibrant, community-driven Flag Day celebrations in Three Oaks capture the town's enduring patriotism and small-town spirit.Three Oaks Today

The Three Oaks Flag Day Committee is finalizing preparations for the community's annual Flag Day celebrations, set to take place from June 12-14. The festivities will include a 5K run, pet parade, and the world's largest Flag Day parade, which will feature a local veteran as the grand marshal.

Why it matters

The Three Oaks Flag Day celebration is a longstanding tradition that brings the community together to honor the American flag, recognize local veterans, and celebrate the freedoms that the flag represents. The event is a major source of pride and community spirit for the town.

The details

The Three Oaks Flag Day celebration will run from June 12-14 this year. Events will include a 5K run and pet parade on Saturday, June 13, followed by the main Flag Day parade on Sunday, June 14. This year's parade grand marshal will be local veteran and farmer Bill Donner, who is being recognized for his lifetime of contributions to the Three Oaks community. Heather Whitlow, president of the Three Oaks Flag Day Committee, says the parade is the world's largest Flag Day parade.

  • The Three Oaks Flag Day celebration will take place from June 12-14, 2026.
  • The 5K run and pet parade will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
  • The main Flag Day parade will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

The players

Heather Whitlow

President of the Three Oaks Flag Day Committee, which organizes the annual celebrations.

Bill Donner

A local veteran and farmer who has been named the grand marshal of the 2026 Three Oaks Flag Day parade.

Trey Peters

The newly crowned Flag Day prince of Three Oaks.

Lillian Stark

The newly crowned Flag Day princess of Three Oaks.

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What they’re saying

“'It's to celebrate the American flag, to honor our veterans, to bring light to our freedom and the freedom which we have and where it stems from, and just to bring openness to talk, to recognize our veterans.'”

— Heather Whitlow, President, Three Oaks Flag Day Committee

“'We have a host of little people between six and nine to come out and show off their skills, their dancing skills, they do a little interview. Then we crown a princess and prince that will ride in the Flag Day Parade. They also participate in other events.'”

— Heather Whitlow, President, Three Oaks Flag Day Committee

What’s next

The Three Oaks Flag Day Committee will continue finalizing the event schedule and logistics in the coming months, with the crowning of the Flag Day royalty taking place in early June 2026.

The takeaway

The Three Oaks Flag Day celebration is a beloved community tradition that brings residents together to honor the American flag, recognize local veterans, and celebrate the freedoms that the flag represents. The event's parade is the world's largest of its kind, underscoring the town's deep patriotism and commitment to its historical roots.