Juneau Empire
The next time the state flags go up along Egan Drive, it will be in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the flags lining the street. For now, though, the flags are back in storage.
Another year is in the books for the Friends of the Flags organization, which handles the flying of the flags along Juneau’s busiest road. With help from Travel Juneau and Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP) employees, the Friends of the Flags recently took the flags down.
Jim Carroll, the chairman of the board of directors, said the group appreciated the help.
“The core crew of the Friends of the Flags is aging,” Carroll said, “and we wanted to be sure the project would continue. Volunteers from Travel Juneau and TBMP joined in the takedown of flags for on-the-ground experience in how it’s done. Our group welcomes their willingness to add the flags to their tourist promoting activities and hope the community will support the effort with their donations.”
Mayor Bill Overstreet started the flag project in 1978, and over the years people from near and far have complimented the Friends and the City and Borough of Juneau for the display.
Along with TBMP, Travel Juneau will provide administrative help for the project, handling logistics and ordering new flags and hardware every year. Donations for the project can be sent to Travel Juneau, 800 Glacier Avenue, Suite 201, noting the flag project. Able-bodied adults looking to volunteer should call Travel Juneau at 586-1737 or email staff@traveljuneau.com.
