Flag Fest 2023

Philadelphia’s rich tradition of flag making is the theme of the 16th annual Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House June 11-17. New interactive programming during the week invites visitors to try their hands at flag making using some traditional and unusual methods and new performances on Stars & Stripes Saturday will delight and entertain visitors of all ages.

Flag Fest kicks off in delicious fashion at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 11 with a chocolate making demonstration and interactive candy flag making. During the day, visitors can help assemble an oversized American flag made entirely of M&Ms® and, of course, take home some tasty samples of M&Ms and AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate courtesy of Mars Wrigley.

Meet the Flag Makers, a brand new, interactive program, debuts on Monday, June 12 and continues through the week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each day guests will have an opportunity to meet 18th century Philadelphia flag makers, including, Margaret Manny, Ann King and Cornelia Bridges. Guests can try their hands at helping to hand-sew an early American flag.

On Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, the Betsy Ross House welcomes new Americans during a moving, annual naturalization ceremony and Betsy Ross, herself, will present a special, interactive program on flag history.

The culmination of the week comes on Saturday, June 17 with Flag Fest’s signature event, Stars & Stripes Saturday. This popular, daylong celebration, meant to invoke the turn of the century celebrations, is full of family-friendly entertainment and activity in the House’s courtyard. Highlights include amazing circus-style performances, the classic Punch & Judy puppet show and more. Kids will love meeting Betsy Ross and playing old-time carnival games.

Following is a complete schedule of events for Flag Fest 2023

Sunday, June 11

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with special guest

Chocolate History Day!

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Historic Chocolate Making

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: M&M® Flag Making & Fun Pack Giveaway

 

Monday, June 12

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with special guest

Meet the Flag Makers!

11 .m. – 3 p.m.: Flag making with Cornelia Bridges

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag painting with William Berrett

3-4 p.m.: Curator’s Cart

 

Tuesday, June 13

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with special guest

Meet the Flag Makers!

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag making with Margaret Manny

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag painting with William Berrett

11 a.m. 3 p.m.: Presidential flag embroidery demonstration by the Defense Logistics Agency

3-4 p.m.: Curator’s Cart

 

Wednesday, June 14

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Citizenship Ceremony

10:45 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with new citizens & Philadelphia School District Superintendent

Dr. Tony Watlington

Meet the Flag Makers!

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Flag History Program with Betsy Claypoole

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag Sewing with Clarissa Wilson

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag painting with William Berrett

3 – 4 p.m.: Curator’s Cart

 

Thursday, June 15

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with special guest

Meet the Flag Makers!

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag sewing with Ann King

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag painting with William Berrett

3 – 4 p.m.: Curator’s Cart

 

Friday, June 16

Free admission for first 100 guests

10 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony with special guest

Meet the Flag Makers!

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag sewing with Rebecca Young

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Flag painting with William Berrett

3 – 4 p.m.: Curator’s Cart

 

Saturday, June 17

Free admission for first 100

10 a.m.: Pride Flag raising ceremony with DJ Robert Drake

Stars & Stripes Saturday!

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Carnival Games

10:15 – 11 a.m.: Philadelphia Freedom Band Concert

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Dave & Brie, a Circus of Two

1 – 1:30 p.m.: Punch & Judy

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.: Dave & Brie, a Circus of Two

4 – 4:30 p.m.: Punch & Judy

 

Flag Festival is the 21st century incarnation of the first Flag Day celebrations held at the House in the 1890s. The 16th annual event pays tribute to our national standard and honors the tradition of Flag Day celebrations that began here more than 100 years ago, and resumed with the first modern Flag Festival in 2008. For more details about Stars & Stripes Saturday and Flag Fest, visit www.historicphiladelphia.org

The Betsy Ross House is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for children/students/seniors/active military. An optional audio guide is $12 and $10, which includes admission. 

The Betsy Ross House is managed by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. HPI enhances the visitor experience and helps strengthen Philadelphia's tourism industry through interpretation and interaction, making our nation's history relevant and real. Historic Philadelphia, Inc.'s other programs include Once Upon A Nation storytelling and Franklin Square. For more information, call (215) 629-4026 or visit www.historicphiladelphia.org.