Saturday June 13th Climax will celebrate the 27th annual Flag Day for the City with a ceremony in Parker Park on Broad Street at 10 a.m. According to Council Woman Liz Phillips, Flag Day Ceremonies began in Climax in 1988 as a parade for the children of the town. Phillips said Martha Hawthorne was Mayor at that time and the parade was to teach the Children about the U.S. Flag, and to give them a special day with a parade just for them.

When the town’s children began to grow up and leave Climax to make their way in the world, the parade became one for the Middle age, senior citizens of the town, and of course there were the politicians!

If it was election year, anyone that was running for any office in both parties was sure to have a place and a ride in Climax’s Flag Day Parade.

Prizes were given for the Most Patriotic and etc. floats, and costumes. The Climax Golden Ages took the prize several times their float being the best all-around with banners, flags, and music playing “The Grand Old Flag!”

With the children growing up, and the senior citizens becoming disabled and not able to decorate their floats, the Flag Day Parade faded into the background.

However, the ceremonies honoring the Flag still continue. Today, Climax recognizes all Veterans, and all branches of the military, and a program saluting the Flag. Several sponsors donate U.S. Flags, and Georgia Flags that are placed throughout the City, several clubs and Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The Flags in Parker Park are retired in an impressive ceremony presented by the Bainbridge High School Jr. ROTC.

The City of Climax encourages all Climax Veteran and their families as well as the families of Climax Veterans who gave all to attend this year’s Flag Day Ceremonies, as special recognition is planned for these Veterans.