Irving Realtor Leads Massive Fourth of July Tradition to Plant 40,000 Flags Citywide

Realtor Nell Anne Hunt has a simple philosophy when describing her love of country: We don’t live in America — America lives in us.

Every year during the week leading up to Independence Day, she and 300 of her volunteer friends bring that belief to life. It’s called the Great Flag Caper, and it’s been a cherished Irving tradition for more than three decades.

“Thirty-three years ago, I moved to a new neighborhood. Everyone was so nice that I decided to buy a couple of hundred flags and put them in the yards of my closest neighbors on the Fourth of July,” the Ebby Halliday Realtor explained. “Everyone liked them so much that the next year I bought 400.

“Then the whole neighborhood wanted them and said they’d help put them out. Then the whole city wanted flags, so now we have a 501(c)(3) with over 300 volunteers who plant over 40,000 flags every Fourth of July.”

The flags are placed in front of homes, businesses, and places of worship throughout Irving. Volunteers range from young children in red wagons to joggers and seniors using walkers.

The flag plantings begin June 27 and continue through July 3.

“Some of the children started in their strollers and are now graduated from college,” Hunt said. “Many of them have told me that their most cherished memories of the neighborhood they grew up in are of all the flags on the Fourth of July.

“Several of the poorest neighborhoods have said that the Fourth of July is the only time their neighborhoods look beautiful.”

As part of the celebration, 10.5 miles of MacArthur Boulevard will be lined with flags as a symbol of unity for the entire city.

“It goes from Grand Prairie to Coppell and is heavily traveled, so MacArthur is a symbol of the unity of the city,” Hunt said. “One lady called me once to thank me for the flags on MacArthur. ‘I am looking out the window of my apartment,’ she said. ‘There is no longer a North or South Irving, just one great American city with flags flying as far as I can see.’”

Once the event concludes, Hunt hosts a Patriotic Potluck Party at her home on July 3.

“All the volunteers squeeze into my house on July 3 to celebrate all the flags we’ve planted. We have a Sousa sing-along and give prizes for who put out the most flags,” she said. “I think of this joyous party as a Norman Rockwell event — because everyone is welcome to a seat at the Great Flag Caper table.”

Hunt says volunteers are always welcome. In addition to a free T-shirt, snacks, and bug spray, volunteers enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, marvel at how much the children have grown, and welcome new neighbors who share a love for their country.

“It just took off and had a life of its own,” Hunt said. “It makes me realize that there is more we have in common than differences. We all want safe neighborhoods, good schools, and friendly neighbors.

“Many of my volunteers have told me that they never knew their neighbors until they started putting out flags. Now their neighborhoods are having cookouts and joining neighborhood watch groups.

“And, of course, everyone cherishes the children. I have grandparents who spend the day putting out flags with their grandchildren — and along the way, sharing with them why they love their country so much.”