This event has completed.

11/10/2018
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM

GENERAL
The Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee will host a very special flag-raising ceremony on Sat. Nov. 10, 2018 in Thunderbird Conservation Park in Glendale 22600 N 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85310.

The community is invited to participate in a human chain to carry (hand-over-hand) the flag to the newly installed flag pole at Arrowhead Point, where it will be permanently displayed as a point of pride for residents and visitors alike. This event coincides with Veterans Day weekend, and pays tribute to those who have served and are serving in the US Armed Services.

TIME
Event registration begins at 7:00 a.m., with the ascension of the US Flag up the trail beginning at 9:00 a.m. (See full event schedule)

PRICE
This event is free and open to the public. Donations are being accepted to assist the Glendale Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Committee provide future flag and flagpole maintenance and to help fund this event.

REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
Due to the patriotic nature of this event and the expected number of participants, pre-registration is required to ensure that an official bib and number are reserved for you. The earlier you arrive on the day of the event, the higher position you will have on the mountain. Walk-up participants are welcome and may register the day of the event, but will not be guaranteed a participant bib and number. Participants may keep the bib as a memento of the event.
 
Two Registration Check-in stations will be open at 7:00 a.m.:
1. Ramada #1 inside main Thunderbird Park entrance off 59th Avenue
2. The Ramadas near Lot M located at 5500 Pinnacle Peak Road

Participants must check in upon arrival to receive further instructions. The event is free and open to the public.

FLAG ASCENSION/HAND-OVER-HAND
The US Flag will begin ascending hand-over-hand by event participants and community volunteers at 9:00 a.m. Anyone wishing to participate in this historic event should plan to arrive at the park between 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. to check-in and receive further instructions. The vision is to create a human chain up the trail and have each person hand the flag to the person next to them from the base of the trail to Arrowhead Point. Spotters will be placed along the trail to guide participants to their position on the mountain.

TRAIL INFORMATION
Please remain on trails and in designated areas only. We need to respect the fact that this is a conservation park. 
Arrowhead Point Loop (where the flag pole is located) is a hiking trail approx. 1.5 miles long and is classified “Moderate Difficult”.  Hikers should recognize their abilities based on the trail rating guide. For more info on the park itself, rules, and guidelines please visit:  www.GlendaleAZ.com/parksandrecreation/thunderbirdpark.cfm

PARKING/SHUTTLES:
ALL Participants are being asked to park at Wet ‘n’ Wild, 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Road, and take the shuttle, which will begin at 6:45 a.m. The shuttles will drop participants at the Main Entrance of Thunderbird Park, and from there everyone will walk .5 mile to Ramadas #14 & #15 (Base Camp) to receive a participant bib#. Participants will then proceed to your position on the mountain. Allow at least 45 minutes to hike to your position.

Shuttle Stops are located at Main Entrance and Pinnacle Peak/55^th Ave. and will run in a continuous one-way loop from Wet ‘n’ Wild to the Main Entrance, to Pinnacle Peak/55^th Ave, and back to Wet ‘n’ Wild. The FINAL Shuttle Pick-Up will be at 1:00 p.m.

2 Information Check-In Stations are located at the Park Main Entrance and Pinnacle Peak/55^thAve.  These stations will provide more event information and water, if needed. The Shuttle Stops are located near both Check-In stations.

 The fly over will be the C-47 “Skytrain” vintage aircraft at 10:00 a.m., the trail will re-open to the public and participants may ascend to the peak to see the flag, and/or descend to the community picnic.

UBER/LYFT DROP-OFFs:
The parking lot located at 5500 Pinnacle Peak (Parking lot M) has been designated as a Uber/Lyft drop off point for those who may choose this mode of transportation.   

PICNIC
The Glendale Chamber Military & Veteran Affairs Committee invites you to attend a community picnic at Ramada #6 near the park main entrance at the conclusion of the Flag Raising ceremony.

DONATIONS
Donations for the ongoing maintenance of the US Flag atop Thunderbird are accepted and will continue to be accepted after the event. 

TRAIL USAGE AND CLOSURE
Thunderbird Conservation Park is open to the public during this event. For safety purposes, portions of Arrowhead Point Trail may be closed during this special event, from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Other trails will be open for use. Arrowhead Point may be restricted for safety and conservation during certain times of the event. Parking for trail users who are not participating in the event is recommended in Lot K off 67th Avenue.

VOLUNTEER
The Glendale Chamber Military & Veteran Affairs Committee welcomes volunteers. Please email hshapiro@glendaleazchamber.org to sign up as a Thunderbird Flag volunteer.

HYDRATION
Please bring water with you as you would on any hike, and stay hydrated. Water stations will be available.

RESTROOMS
Restrooms are available inside the main entrance of the park. There are no restrooms on the trail.

FOOD
A community picnic is planned immediately after the flag raising ceremony and the community is invited to participate.

TRASH
Plenty of trash receptacles will be located in the park. PLEASE do not discard any trash along the trail or in the park, and help keep this beautiful park clean. No glass is allowed at Thunderbird Conservation Park. 

MISC

• There is little to no shade on the trail, and participants should consider wearing brimmed hats.
• Please show your support and patriotism by wearing red, white and blue!
• Keep your hands free while passing the flag.
• Bring your cell phone, but please do not hold onto your phone while it is your turn to pass the flag - ask a person downhill from you to take a picture for you. The flag cannot be slowed down for pictures. It must reach the top of the flag pole at 10:00 to be in sync with the F-16 & F-35 flyover.
• Bring a camera, but please keep your hands free while passing the flag. Pictures of the event will be made available on the Glendale Chamber website.