Flag Fest 2009

Mark your calendar for Flag Fest 2009:
A Turn of the Century Celebration
Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2009.

You won't want to miss this old-fashioned street fair with food, crafters and entertainment that will transport you to the early 20th century when the Betsy Ross House first celebrated Flag Day.

Shop crafters making and selling traditional turn-of-the-century wares. Meet "Uncle Sam," Charlie Chaplin, Teddy Roosevelt and other celebrities of the time. Marvel at the "newest" inventions, like high-wheel bicycles and steam cars.

Kids will love the Midway, with games and prizes and a penny-candy booth sure to satisfy even the most serious sweet tooth. For bigger appetites, visitors can enjoy All-American favorites, like hot dogs, apple pie and hand-dipped ice cream.

Decked out in red, white and blue, the Betsy Ross House Courtyard will host a variety of entertainment both days, from an organ grinder (and his monkey!), to ragtime ensembles and more. Plus, visitors will meet Charles Weisgerber, the unsung patriot responsible for restoring the Betsy Ross House and opening it to the public, insuring that Betsy's story would be treasured by generations of Americans.

Flag Fest 2009: A Turn of the Century Celebration promises fun for the whole family. Most events are free and, in the spirit of both yesteryear and today's difficult economic times, food and game prices will be affordable to all. In fact, kids' games are just a dime!

See below for a complete schedule of events:*

Saturday, June 13 - Betsy Ross House Courtyard:

10am - 7pmMeet Charles Weisgerber
10:30-11amVictorian Magic Show
11-11:30amPunch & Judy Puppet Show
11:30-11:45amMixed Pickles Dancers
11:45am - 12pmBaseball Trivia Contest
12-12:30pmVictorian Magic Show
12:30-1:15pmGive & Take Jugglers
1:30-2pmPunch & Judy Puppet Show
2-2:45pmFralinger String Band
2:45- 3pmBaseball Trivia Contest
3:00pm - 3:15pmMixed Pickles Dancers
3:30pm - 4:00pmPunch and Judy
4pm - 4:45pmVaudeville show
5pm - 6:00pmRagtime Guitarist

Arch Street

11:00am - 1:00pmUncle Sam
11:30am - 12:15pmBig-wheeled bike demonstration
12:30pm - 1:00pmMixed Pickles
1:15pm - 1:45pmChemical Heritage science experiment
1:30pm - 3:30pmOrgan grinder and Django the fortune-telling monkey
2:00pm - 2:30pmAuburn Heights steam car demonstration
2:45pm - 3:30Big-wheeled bike demonstration
3:45pm - 4:15pmMixed Pickles Dancers
4:30pm - 5:00pmChemical Heritage science experiment
5:15pm - 5:45pmAuburn Heights steam car demonstration
6:00pm - 6:45Big-wheeled bike demonstration

Sunday, June 14 - Betsy Ross House Courtyard

10:30am - 10:45amSpeech by Charles Weisgerber
11:00am - 11:30amVictorian Magic Show
12:00pm - 1:00pmPhiladelphia Flag Day Association's ceremony
1:00pm - 1:15pmDime Contest Winner announced by Charles Weisgerber
1:30pm - 2:00pmVictorian Magic Show
2:00pm - 2:45pmSousa Band
3:00pm - 3:45pmMitchell & Ness History of Baseball Discussion & Trivia
4:00pm - 4:45pmVaudeville show w/Jerry Brown

Arch Street

10:00am - 12:30pmUncle Sam
11:00am - 11:30amPunch and Judy
11:45am - 12:15pmAuburn Heights steam car demonstration
12:30pm - 1:00pmPunch and Judy
1:00pm- 3:30pmOrgan grinder and Django the fortune-telling monkey
1:30pm - 2:00pmChemical Heritage "science experiment"
2:15pm - 2:45pmPunch and Judy
3:00pm - 3:30pmAuburn Heights steam car demonstration
3:45pm - 4:15pmPunch and Judy

*Times and performers subject to change

While you're here, check out our summer exhibit opening May 22. Play Ball! A History of Baseball in Philadelphia will feature memorabilia from famed sports retailer Mitchell & Ness and the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. See how baseball evolved in the City of Brotherly Love from its early days more than 100 years ago, to the crowning of our world champs in October 2008