For the second year in a row, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) from the Central District region will be at the Royal Palm Park for the July 4th celebration to collect torn and warn out American flags ready for a retirement.

Boy Scouts from Troop 329, which meets at Madison Meadows School, inspect flags deemed ready for retirement that were collected at last year’s Royal Palm Neighborhood 4th of July Festival & Parade (submitted photo).

The Royal Palm Neighborhood 4th of July Festival & Parade, now in its 42nd year, will take place 7-9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at Royal Palm Park, 8405 N. 15th Ave. This family-friendly event takes place early in the day to beat the heat. There will be vendors, food trucks, children’s activities and more. Admission is free. No glass containers allowed in city parks.

A covered table will be provided for the flag collection station area. The parade will start at 8 a.m. and travel around the neighborhood park area. Local dignitaries are expected to attend.

BSA is one of the last groups that has the duty and proper training to present, and to retire, the American symbol. This event will be considered the “kick-off” for the Central District’s civic service projects.

The flags collected on July 4 will be retired in a special ceremony on Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day. For more information, contact Roger Ottaway, Activities & Civic Service chair, BSA Central District, at 602-930-8327 or rloottaway@aol.com.