A field of 1,111 American flags goes up this week at Oak Point Park for the 10th Plano Flags of Honor, which opens to the public Saturday, Nov. 7, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 14, at Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway.
The display honors veterans, active-duty service members and first responders. It is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Plano, the Plano Flags of Honor Rotary Community Corps and the City of Plano, and admission is free. Volunteers spent Wednesday through Friday setting bases and laying out the grid for every flag.
Opening day
Saturday starts at 8 a.m. with the Patriots Run fun run, followed by a 5K at 8:30. A free Safety Fair and Touch-a-Truck begins at noon, with vehicles and staff from Plano Fire-Rescue, police, public works, parks and the library, and a PHI Air Medical helicopter landing if no emergency call pulls it away.
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., teams of one to 12 people can try to pull a fire truck the fastest; entry is free. A Patriot PAWS service dog demonstration is set for 3 p.m. Weather permitting, tethered hot air balloon rides start at 5:30 p.m. for $25 a person.
Through the week
- Every evening: A live taps performance at 5:15 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 8: A car show from 1 to 4 p.m. and a 1940s-style vocal troupe at 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day): From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., veterans and first responders who do not yet have an honor card on the field can stop by the event tent for help adding one.
- Thursday, Nov. 12: A Congressional Veteran Commendation ceremony from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 14: The closing day includes a military history encampment, the Vettes 4 Vets car show at 11 a.m., Quilts of Valor presentations at 1 p.m., the Plano Civic Chorus at 2:30 p.m. and a Scouts flag retirement at 5 p.m.
Anyone can dedicate a flag to a person at no cost through the organizers' website, and each flag carries an honor card telling that person's story. Organizers say events are subject to weather, and separate parking maps are posted for each day. The field comes down Sunday, Nov. 15.
