About 650 American flags are flying on this Memorial Day weekend in mid-Missouri’s Centralia at the Avenue of Flags near busy Highway 22. The Anchor City has about 4,500 residents.
The display has been known to stop traffic due to its size and beauty. The flags will fly there during Memorial Day weekend through Anchor Fest weekend and again on the Fourth of July and on Veterans Day on November 11.
Residents from throughout mid-Missouri travel to Centralia to see the display.
What it means: The idea was first proposed by Centralia resident Jan Hollis in 2005, who had seen a similar display in Kansas. Centralia’s cemetery advisory board worked closely with the VFW Post, Centralia’s flower and garden club, veterans, local businesses and other citizens to make it happen.
What’s next: Centralia officials say donations are always welcome for the Avenue of Flags project.