For more than a decade, American flags have been distributed along the parade route during the city of Marietta’s July 4 celebration, and this year the city is again welcoming groups who wish to hand out Old Glory. The city encourages the distribution of flags before and during the parade when done safely.

To prevent children from possibly being injured by running into moving traffic in the street, the city long ago adopted rules preventing the distribution of literature, candy, flags, fans, etc. from or adjacent to vehicles in the street while the parade is in progress.

For many years the city has assisted civic groups in distributing up to 10,000 flags annually along the parade route prior to the parade starting and vehicles moving. Volunteers walk alongside the city’s antique fire truck before the parade and hand out flags to spectators, helping create a patriotic parade atmosphere as veterans and parade entries move along the route.

This year the city of Marietta has extended the same offer to help volunteers hand out flags before the parade along with the opportunity to distribute flags during the parade on sidewalks where the crowds gather.

Because of the parade’s popularity, the city welcomes as many flags as possible since the supply of them is often not enough to last the entire parade route.

For more information, call the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5602.

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