Not Rated | 1h 15m | Documentary | 2026
If you want to show foreigners or extraterrestrials what the United States of America is all about—have them watch “Flag Day.”
Filmmakers Andrew and Melissa Shea showcase, in cinéma vérité style, Three Oaks, Michigan’s 74-year tradition: The town is home to the largest Flag Day parade in the world.
What’s ‘Flag Day’?
Flag Day (June 14) is the date when, in 1777, the Stars and Stripes was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It’s obviously hugely overshadowed by July Fourth and Juneteenth. It’s still a major affair in Three Oaks, although, as one auto mechanic notes, that used to mean a lot more before Google. Google informs us that there aren’t a lot of Flag Day celebrations in America anymore, which means that Three Oaks’ celebration is a big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation.
The documentary follows a few residents, but specific storytelling is not the objective. “Flag Day” is literally and figuratively a flag-waving and heartwarming documentary about quintessential Small Town, USA, as well as Anytown, Main Street, USA—with an all-Americana soundtrack. Will John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” make an appearance in the lineup? Of course it will.
Attendees
You’ve got your local auto mechanics, farmer-run tractor clubs, a high school drum corps from a nearby town, Three Oaks‘ River Valley High School beauty pageant contestants, and military vet-bikers, who, it must be said, make no secret of the fact that they are going to enjoy ogling those contestants.
Everyone participates variously: joining the tractor line, building floats, working on costumes. One second grader tells her teacher that her favorite part is marching down the street and giving out candy to people who don’t have any candy.
Three Oaks residents are interviewed. High schoolers joke about all being possibly related to each other, and the inevitable small-town reality is sliced and diced—everyone knows everyone else’s business. Three generations of Three Oaks residents were driven to school by the same bus driver.
The high school beauty queen has a rule about dating boys only outside the township in order to preclude her mom from hearing all her relationship particulars from neighbors. Local farmers are now in their fifth generation, doing the same work their forefathers did, except they now consider it “hobby farming” since it’s not really possible to make a living from it anymore.
Modern Sensibilities
Watching a film like “Flag Day” these days is an unusual occurrence: It overflows with positivity, making one suspicious that the other shoe is about to drop. We’ve been conditioned by all-invasive algorithmic social media to expect divisive, disillusioning, Debbie-Downer info that details the state of our dissolving nation.
Watching the film might feel a bit like the staged and disingenuous displays organized by communist countries for visitors—as if the heartwarming community camaraderie doesn’t occur naturally and on a regular basis.
It’s the news outlets residing on the East and West coasts that are predominantly responsible for promoting and perpetuating the illusion that the entire nation is hand-wringing about gender issues, systemic racism, veganism, and climate change.
Similarly, the negatives regarding small-town life, as sometimes depicted in movies, are missing—the point where everyone knowing everyone’s business tips over into vicious gossip, and the collective circling of the wagons against particular kinds of people. These are also press-perpetuated views. Racism and such issues exist more in New York and Los Angeles now than they do in Small Town, America. The rosy, touching picture painted by “Flag Day” is the real America. The press also likes to sweep under the rug that small-town folks are largely churchgoers and actively cultivate positivity.
Takeaway
“Flag Day” is likely best enjoyed by those who either grew up in small towns or live in big cities and yearn for the sense of community that small towns offer. The goal of “Flag Day” is to reminisce about America’s small-town community and patriotism and wonder if it still matters. Clearly, it does.
With the state of the world today, it’s kind of a no-brainer. “Flag Day” is a good way to reflect on the American way—the way the Founding Fathers imagined it—as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this July 4.
‘Flag Day’
Documentary
Directors: Andrew Shea and Melissa Shea
Running Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Not Rated
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
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