June 8 through June 14

Flag Fest returns this summer! Celebrate Flag Day and Philadelphia’s historic tradition of flag-making all week long during the 18th annual Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House! This year’s event kicks off in style with a special First Friday celebration on June 6 and introduces an exciting new feature: an interactive flag-making workshop with acclaimed artists César Viveros-Herrera and Lemus Monart. The Betsy Ross House is open daily from 10am – 5pm for self-guided and audio tours throughout Flag Fest.

First Friday Launch Party:
June 6 | 5pm – 8pm
Flag Fest kicks off early with an after-hours celebration with Ministry of Awe in the House’s charming courtyard, featuring a live, traditional dyeing demonstration by celebrated artist César Viveros-Herrera and Lemus Monart. These techniques will be used throughout the week to create a 13-star American flag in an interactive workshop.

Triple Bottom Brewery will also be in the courtyard with special pop-up beer and cocktail garden!

Daily Highlights

• Flag Raising Ceremony 
  June 8 – 14 | 10am
  Each morning begins with an uplifting, Interactive flag-raising with America’s most famous flag maker, Betsy Ross.
• Community Flag Making with César Viveros-Herrera and Lemus Monart
  June 8 – 12 | 1pm – 2:30pm
  Sunday – Thursday, witness this Interactive workshop blending traditional and modern technique. Help craft a 13-star American flag that blends tradition with a modern, personal touch. The flag will be created using fabric colored with natural dyes made from cochineal and indigo to make the red stripes and blue field. Help Viveros-Herrara by writing a word or phrase that reflects what the flag means to you on pieces of fabric – you can take the fabric home with you, or leave it with Cesar to be stitched together to form the completed flag! The completed flag will be unveiled on Friday, June 13 during a special celebration featuring music and live performances.
• Meet The Flag Makers
  June 9 – 12 | 11am – 3pm
  Step back in time and meet real-life 18th-century flag makers like Betsy Ross’ daughter Clarissa Wilson, plus Margaret Manny, Ann King, and Cornelia Bridges. Learn their stories, see their craft in action, and try your hand at historical flag-making techniques.
  
• Curator’s Corner
  June 10 – 13 | 3pm – 4pm
  Join local cultural institutions such as Taller Puertorriqueño and the Mexican Cultural Center as they showcase flags from their collections, exploring the deep symbolism and heritage behind each design.

Flag Day Grand Finale
June 14 | 10am – 5pm

• Flag Retirement Ceremony with The Philadelphia Flag Day Association
  June 14 | 10am
• Betsy Ross Presents: The History of the American Flag
  June 14 | 12pm – 2pm
  Join in a lively, family-friendly performance from Betsy! The History of the American Flag will take place several times throughout the afternoon.
• Lift Every Voice: A Flag Day Celebration of American Music
  June 14 | 4pm
  The week culminates with a concert featuring the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale directed by J. Donald Dumpson. This acclaimed intergenerational ensemble brings audiences to their feet with music from across genres, with a special emphasis on compositions born of the African Diaspora.

Flag Fest is generously sponsored by A Friend of the Betsy Ross House, The William Penn Foundation, and Ministry of Awe.