Full Breakdown
Flag Day Parade in Three Oaks, Michigan Captured in New Documentary
6/12/2026, 9:36:42 PM
Core Event: Documentary “Flag Day” Chronicles Nation’s Largest Flag Day Parade
Filmmakers Andrew and Melissa Shea traveled to Three Oaks, Michigan, in June 2024 to film the town’s Flag Day parade for their documentary *Flag Day*. The parade, billed as the nation’s largest and longest-running Flag Day procession, was recorded over a single weekend with eleven camera crews from Chicago. The film will screen on June 14 in the Dallas-Fort Worth/Denton area, on July 4 in Austin, and on June 14-15 in Cathedral City, California.
Background & Context: Three Oaks’ Patriotic Tradition
Flag Day, observed on June 14, has been celebrated nationally for 110 years. Three Oaks, a farming community about 70 miles from Chicago, held its first Flag Day parade in 1953. The event now includes tractors, a local marching band, and a float led by “Miss Three Oaks.” Recent gentrification has added new residents while the town maintains its historic patriotic customs.
Key Figures & Groups: Filmmakers and Community Participants
The documentary was created by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Melissa Shea, who have spent summers in southwest Michigan for the past 13-14 years. A local resident’s invitation led them to the parade. Featured participants include “Miss Three Oaks,” local veterans, and the town band. The Sheas coordinated eleven camera crews from Chicago for the shoot.
Data & Statistics
- First parade: 1953
- Claim: Largest and possibly longest-running Flag Day parade in the United States
- Distance from Chicago: ~70 miles
- Filmmakers’ Michigan visits: 13-14 years of summer stays
- Production crew: 11 camera crews
- Screening venues: Dallas-Fort Worth, Denton, Austin, Cathedral City (June 14-15, 2024)
Why It Matters: Symbolic Unity Amid Political Division
The Sheas say the film examines the flag’s meaning amid heightened political division. By documenting a small-town ritual that welcomes participants across partisan lines, the documentary illustrates how communal symbols can foster unity without aligning with any single party.
Official Statements & Responses: Observational Approach and Intent
The Sheas explained that their long-standing ties to Three Oaks motivated them to capture the parade as a “one moment in time” reflecting tradition and contemporary tension. They adopted an observational approach, allowing community voices to shape the narrative. Regional releases aim to spark dialogue about shared national symbols and local heritage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “why don’t you come to our town? We’re having a parade.” — Local resident who invited the Sheas
- “Andrew Shea: It’s a farming town, but with a lot of gentrification in recent years.” — Andrew Shea
- “The first Flag Day parade there was in, I think, 1953, and they have claimed to have the largest — if not the longest-running — Flag Day parade in the nation.” — Andrew Shea
- “The film celebrates Americana while honestly addressing modern tensions, and reminds us that the flag isn’t Republican or Democratic — it’s for all of us.” — NBC Palm Springs report
What’s Next: Upcoming Screenings and Community Impact
After its Texas premiere, *Flag Day* will screen in Austin on July 4 and in Cathedral City on June 14-15. Organizers expect the regional exposure to prompt discussion of patriotic rituals and their relevance in today’s America.
