FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Alton, IL – June 15, 2026) In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, 100 new US flags are bringing their red, white and blue to the streets of downtown Alton thanks to a partnership between the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, the Alton Godfrey Rotary Club and Pride, Inc.

The flags were recently installed along Broadway Street in downtown Alton, at the Lincoln Douglas Memorial and along State and Third Streets. The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and Alton Godfrey Rotary Club purchased the flags for $6,000. The installation of the flags was coordinated between the tourism bureau and Pride, Inc.

“These flags will showcase downtown Alton throughout the summer and also pay tribute to America’s 250th,” Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said. “Working with a civic-minded organization like the Alton Godfrey Rotary Club is a great way to celebrate this semiquincentennial of the nation. Our joint goal is to use the flags as a celebration of our nation’s anniversary as well as the upcoming 250 on the Mississippi events planned for July 1-3 in Alton.”

The flags will remain in place through Labor Day. Looking ahead, the new flags will be displayed in downtown Alton seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

“Our Rotary club has a long history of developing and participating in local community service projects,” Alton Godfrey Rotary President Donna Bemis noted. “Being a part of this initiative to add US flags to downtown Alton alongside Great Rivers & Routes and Pride, Inc. continues to shine the light on what organizations can do when they work together.”

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(The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is a certified Destination Marketing Organization serving Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery and Greene counties and East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The bureau is dedicated to educating visitors about the region by providing information regarding the area’s history, unique landmarks, recreational opportunities, leisure attractions, special events and scenic marvels.)