Gigantic flag is backdrop for Centerville's centennial celebration

Gigantic flag is backdrop for Centerville's centennial celebration

(Chris Samuels/Deseret News)


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CENTERVILLE — A young father pulled a red wagon decorated with patriotic streamers and signs toward Founders Park in Centerville on Friday, as his daughter and son held onto the edges, excited tor the evening ahead.

"Centerville, Centerville, it's the best town in the state, we think it's really great!" sang a children's choir as attendees holding popsicles and shaved ice entered the park attempting to beat the summer heat.

"It's hard to maneuver in there," said resident Patt Burton about the park. "All those blankets are bumper to bumper and so beautiful, I didn't want to step on them."

The city is not only celebrating Independence Day this weekend, but also its 100th anniversary as a self-governing entity — resulting in a jammed pack weekend of events that include fan-favorite activities such as bouncy castles, face painting, balloon animals, parades, fireworks, and most uniquely, a flag the size of a basketball court.

This is the first year that Centerville has incorporated the large flag into its patriotic festivity, thanks to a local resident.

"Kyle Nayler, a Centerville resident who has access to this flag, thought of the idea — thinking that it was a great way to involve the youth in his area in the centennial celebration — to give them a chance to do something really memorable," said Mayor Paul Cutler.

A group of 35 youth, accompanied by a few "older folks," not only hiked a mile up the steep mountain with the flag in the heat, they remained with the symbol of freedom diligently throughout the evening before taking it back down the mountain at dusk.

"I thought it was really cool," said Heather Anderson, a Centerville resident. "I feel bad for the people who had to hike up there and shake it in the sun."

The flag itself has seen its fair share of events, including MLB World Series games, NCAA Final Four basketball championships and several college football games. This was the first time, however, it had been displayed on the side of a mountain.

"It's really inspiring to see that flag waving on the mountain as we join together to celebrate our independence and our country," Cutler told audience members after they all recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem.

Chris Samuels/Deseret News

It was obvious that the crowd in the park loved the addition of the big flag as part of the celebration, those waving it on the mountain had to just hope their actions were being appreciated.

"When we do these things with the flag in the stadium, we usually get a immediate crowd reaction, but we couldn't hear it on the mountain," Nayler said. "I was on the phone with my wife as we shook the flag, so we got kind of a distant approval and a lot of kids were on phones with their families, electronically enjoying the reaction."

Besides the flag, other family fun at the festival included several food booths, crafts for children and live music by Kat Tingey and Eclipse 6.

"It's a fabulous turnout. It's packed as usual, especially considering the heat," Cutler said. "A lot of people … love the Fourth of July, to celebrate their hometowns, to celebrate their country and to celebrate their freedom."

Festivities will continue in Centerville Saturday with breakfast in the park, a parade on Main Street, a historical display in City Hall, and more activities in the park.


Cassidy Hansen is currently studying both Political Science and Communications at Brigham Young University, while working as an intern at the Deseret News. Contact her at chansen@deseretnews.com

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