A special Flag Day Celebration is coming up on June 6, 2026 in Old Town San Diego. What makes it special? This year is the 250th birthday of the United States of America!
The “Legacy of Liberty” ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at 2510 Juan Street.
I went to the Mormon Battalion’s patriotic Flag Day event last year and it was quite moving. There was stirring music and deserving honorees were recognized. Should you go, you’ll likely see participants in colonial uniforms and attire, much red, white and blue, and plenty of smiles.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
This big, incredible work of drywall screw art depicting the Statue of Liberty is on display today and part of tomorrow in the hangar deck of the USS Midway Museum. It’s titled Lady Liberty.
Lady Liberty is a work in progress, created by veteran Joe Pisano. It honors all those who’ve served in the United States Armed Forces.
Perhaps you’ve seen other examples of his unique, patriotic drywall screw art here and here.
Lady Liberty will be completed and standing tall at the coming Memorial Day ceremony on Mount Soledad, then will make its way to the San Diego County Fair where it will be displayed in an exhibition hall.
What you see in my photographs is the completed top half. The many drywall screws are installed by hand into the underlying wood, often by people visiting the work of art. Many who participate are veterans.
When completed, dog tags representing those who’ve sacrificed will be mounted near the base of Lady Liberty.
Medal of Honor hero Royce Williams is recognized in a special way. His dog tag is installed next to Lady Liberty’s torch!
A time capsule will also be installed in the work of art, to be opened on July 4, 2076, our nation’s 300th birthday. You are invited to write a letter to be enclosed in the time capsule. Read what’s in my final photograph for details!
This coming Fourth of July, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial–its 250th Anniversary!
At noon on Independence Day, people in San Diego and across the country will be ringing bells to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom. Would you like to join them?
There’s a free website that will help you, your family, friends, and interested organizations celebrate the moment. It counts down to noon local time, provides a digital Declaration of Independence, educational material, helpful information about creating your own ceremony, a participation certificate, and will produce eight different selectable bell sounds if you don’t have your own bell handy!
There’s even information about how to produce a ceremonial bell ringing broadcast on local radio stations.
The website is called Freedom Bells. You can learn more at FreedomBells.org or click here! Check out the website FAQs for useful ideas.
Share the news! Get those Freedom Bells ringing from sea to shining sea!
The 6th Annual Veterans Day Parade was held today in downtown Escondido. Residents of various neighboring cities came together to enjoy what has been renamed the North County VetFest and Veterans Day Parade.
In the mid-morning I stood with spectators along North Broadway at the edge of Grape Day Park. A group assembled on the street in front of Review Stand 1 sang the National Anthem. Then a minute or two later…here came the parade!
Over fifty units would pass by to cheers and applause. There were community organizations, clubs, schools with marching bands, church groups, politicians, scouts, cadets, pageant and rodeo queens, firefighters, equestrian groups, local businesses… But most importantly, there were the honored Veterans.
Veterans from many generations and wars, who’ve sacrificed for all of us, waved from passing classic cars, vintage ambulances, trailers and other vehicles. They received the greatest applause.
I photographed many of the passing units. I’m now going to share a fraction of my shots from the parade. Some of the best ones.
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
A Veterans Day ceremony was held today in Escondido at the Wall of Courage, in Grape Day Park. The annual event, honoring the courage and sacrifice of veterans, is organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1513.
The beautiful ceremony included the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and an Invocation, before a few speeches were given. Themes I noted included dedication, resilience, gratitude and friendship.
God Bless America was sung powerfully by a young gentleman. Escondido Mayor Dane White was present in the audience and was summoned to the podium to give a few words.
Remarks by a past VFW Commander encouraged everyone to support others, not just veterans. There’s a lot of loneliness in the world. Reaching out to others with a few kind words is true service. If you know a vet, or anyone who might need it, from time to time call up or text and provide a friendly hello.
At the end of the ceremony, Thank You cards were handed out to all of the veterans present.
The cards were hand made by students at nearby Classical Academy. Hundreds of cards were made.
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
It’s November 9th. It’s still considered early November, right? In any event, I enjoyed a fun and very unique walk through Balboa Park today.
I found evidence Veterans Day is almost here–now just two days.
Before we know it, Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season will be here, too!
Enjoy some photos of interesting sights…
First up, the San Diego Potters’ Guild was having their Semiannual Patio Show in Spanish Village Art Center this weekend. While people watched, one guild artist was demonstrating the use of a potter’s wheel.
Next, some photos of the badly deteriorated Convair Sea Dart mounted in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Time is running out to see this very rare, experimental supersonic seaplane. It’s going to be replaced in front of the museum by an F-14A Tomcat fighter jet, as soon as the latter is restored at the museum’s annex near Gillespie Field.
The replacement won’t be just any ordinary F-14A, either. It will be the very plane used in the filming of Top Gun: Maverick!
Next, the free two o’clock Sunday concert at the Spreckel’s Organ Pavilion was a Veterans Day Celebration.
San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez played Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, various rousing John Philip Sousa marches, the United States Armed Forces Medley, and, yes, some good old Bach.
Toward the end of my walk, I stumbled upon something rather unique! A row of chess boards was set up in the Plaza de Panama, and a Chess Grandmaster, Two-Time National Champion was competing against multiple random people at one time!
I learned the Chess Grandmaster is also candidate Patrick Wolff, who is running for California Insurance Commissioner. His people were filming the proceedings for their campaign’s social media.
This is something you don’t see every day!
Chet, who plays guitar in Balboa Park, was causing the Grandmaster to pause and think a long while!
Lastly, I saw the Old Globe’s Dr. Seuss Christmas tree was getting ready for its annual lighting this evening. I didn’t have a reservation for the free event, however. Maybe next year…
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The 69th Annual Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance will be held this coming Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Balboa Park. Everyone is invited!
Dozens of color guards from all around San Diego County will come together for an amazing patriotic event at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The event will take place between 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning. It’s free and open to the public.
If you’ve never witnessed the Massing of the Colors, you’re missing out on a very stirring spectacle. Representatives from the military, Junior ROTC, Scouts, and patriotic organizations around San Diego will honor those who’ve served and sacrificed by filling the Spreckels Organ Pavilion with a sea of flags.
The Massing of the Colors is presented each year by the San Diego Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, a patriotic organization that was founded in 1926. Their motto is: It Is Nobler To Serve Than To Be Served.
Here’s the flyer concerning Saturday’s event:
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Many historical figures who were instrumental in the founding of the United States of America appeared in San Diego today! They time traveled into the 21st century during a special Independence Day event at Balboa Park’s International Cottages!
Diverse people from around San Diego took to the stage in costume, recalling how our nation’s Founders brought us Liberty by rebelling against the despotic King George III of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Revolutionary War period figures brought to life included Bernardo de Gálvez, the Governor of Spanish Louisiana; Betsy Ross; Martha Washington; Alexander Hamilton; Paul Revere; John Adams; Abigail Adams; African-Americans from the Caribbean who helped fight for American Independence; Crispus Attucks; Joseph Warren; John Dunlap; and various others.
The heroes of the American Revolution came from many backgrounds. Together, they defeated the mighty Great Britain and achieved something of a miracle.
I jotted down a few quick notes. Martha Washington spoke of heart, resilience and hope. Paul Revere explained how heroic deeds can lead to great change. There were many other words of wisdom.
Before and after these inspiring presentations, the House of USA had tasty treats at their table, including good old American hot dogs and hamburgers. Booths at the event included the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution.
Fun fact: Today is the 250th Anniversary of the Olive Branch Petition. What is that?
The Olive Branch Petition was a document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, and signed on July 8, 1775. It was a final, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to avoid war between Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies. Read more about it here!
Enjoy photos from today’s event…
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Today, in the mid-afternoon, people were gathering along San Diego’s Embarcadero to watch Fourth of July fireworks. Families were camping in grassy spots and setting up lawn chairs and blankets in strategic positions next to San Diego Bay. After dark, four barges on the water would be launching synchronized fireworks during the 9 o’clock Big Bay Boom!
I enjoyed a long walk, observing the activity. As time passed, more and more people arrived until a good crowd was milling about on the Embarcadero’s boardwalk.
These photographs begin near the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, proceed through Embarcadero Marina Park South, then head up past the Marriott Marquis Marina, through Seaport Village, through Embarcadero Marina Park North, past Tuna Harbor, the USS Midway and the Broadway Pier, and end a short distance north of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
It was a sunny afternoon, with barbeques out and kites flying–another perfect day in America’s Finest City!
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
What would Independence Day be without an old-fashioned 4th of July in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!
The big celebration of our nation’s birth (249 years ago) would attract hundreds of visitors, including many families. A little after 11 o’clock in the morning, the American flag was raised by Scouts on the central plaza’s flagpole and the event kicked off!
There would be live old-fashioned American music on the stage, Victorian era lawn games like sack racing and tug-o’-war, and booths where kids could make 19th century scrap books or create telegraph Morse code bracelets or pioneer dolls.
A watermelon eating contest would take place later, as well as the annual quilt raffle!
I arrived before the event would begin, checked out the Boosters of Old Town table, walked around the California State Park for a bit, observed the flag raising, then hung around for a while watching the fun!
The Boosters of Old Town San Diego had lots of great stuff for purchase at their red, white and blue table!
And a free smile!
At Threads of the Past, I learned about the quilts that are made here and raffled to raise funds every year. They are modeled after historic Sanitary Commission quilts from the Civil War.
If you ever see the following label on an old quilt, buy it immediately! They are extremely rare.
Now I’m just walking around…
Heading over to check out the blacksmith shop…
Many Old Town blacksmiths were busy on the Fourth of July!
This friendly gentlemen allows kids to pound away on clay, shaping it as if it were red hot iron.
Almost 11 o’clock. The assembled Scout color guard is ready in the doorway of the Casa de Estudillo.
Here we go…
Now to raise the flag of the United States of America on Independence Day…
A welcome speech was followed by nostalgic old-time music performed by Billy Lee and The Swamp Critters, plus lots of family fun, crafts and games!
…
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Cool San Diego Sights! 