Drone footage capturing a Freedom 250 flag flying above the Macey’s Olympus location in Utah will be featured on a national stage in Washington, D.C., during Independence Day weekend celebrations. The video, which showcases the flag against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, is scheduled to play on large screens throughout the National Mall as part of the America 250 festivities.
Flag footage source and usage
The footage was captured and shared by Colonial Flag, which serves as the official flag partner for Freedom 250 and the flag provider for Macey’s. According to Paul Swenson, CEO of Colonial Flag, the production team for the celebrations at the mall in Washington, D.C., has enjoyed using videos of the Freedom 250 flag during their events.
Swenson noted that he specifically recommended utilizing the footage from the Macey’s Olympus location because of the dramatic mountain scenery present in the shot. The video is expected to be incorporated into patriotic vignettes and will most likely play throughout the day Saturday on giant event stage screens, as well as on various screens located throughout the mall, as the national celebration continues in the coming weeks.
Details on flag design
The Freedom 250 flag used in the footage features an iconic Betsy Ross-style design, characterized by a circle of stars with the number "250" positioned at its center. This specific flag is part of a larger nationwide effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial of the United States in 2026.
Commemorative products available
Colonial Flag offers various products related to the America 250 commemoration, including Betsy Ross style U.S. flags starting at $25.00 and specialized items such as a 3x5 1776-2026 Betsy Ross flag for $75.00. Their collection also includes the America 250 official logo flag, Marines 250 and Army 250 flags, and large-scale displays like a 250 Years of Independence historic flag field priced at $9,890.00.
Macey's historical connection to flags
For Macey’s, the inclusion of their store's flag in a national celebration carries deep historical significance. The company noted that flags have been an integral part of the Macey’s experience since its inception.
Legacy of founder Walt Macey
Macey’s founder Walt Macey, who established the company in 1947, served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II in the South Pacific. According to the company, Macey was a proud American who held a passion for the American flag as a symbol of unity, freedom, and the nation's founding principles. In alignment with that legacy, Macey’s has continued the tradition of displaying large American flags at its store locations wherever permitted.
Macey’s president Darin Peirce expressed excitement regarding the recognition, stating that it is meaningful to have the company's long-standing flag tradition become part of a national celebration. The footage is expected to be viewed by attendees from across the country as part of the programming on the National Mall throughout the weekend.
The grocery chain traces its origins back to 19cap, when Walt Macey and Dale A. Jones opened the "Save-A-Nickel-Market" in Rosepark, Utah. Over the decades, the business expanded from that single small store into a multi-store chain known for personalized service and specific offerings like Kong Kones and a made-from-scratch bakery.
The national celebration in Washington, D.C., will continue to feature the Utah-captured footage as part of its ongoing tribute to the nation's history. The display serves as a visual connection between local Utah landmarks and the broader American semiquincentennial commemoration.
