The City of Dowagiac has big plans for their 145th anniversary, and that includes the creation of a new, symbolic, and prideful city flag. The city invites the public to submit their input and designs that exacerbate the city’s rich history, ethnically diverse heritage, and promising future.
“To be able to add to the already strong sense of community in Dowagiac is an exciting project. As a community we take great pride in listening to what citizens want and developing a plan to make that happen,” says Patrick Bakeman, Councilman for Ward 1 in Dowagiac.
Community member Eileen Crouse is excited to help fuel this project. “My hometown is Chicago and the city flag is everywhere. When I moved to Dowagiac eight years ago, I became smitten with this town. I love all of the cool houses and historic downtown, and noticed that there is a lot of community pride,” she says. She noted the lack of city flag years ago, and went to her Councilman to discuss it. Paige Behnke, community member, local graphic artist, and vexillology enthusiast, also noticed Dowagiac does not have a city flag – and just like that, one idea became an ambition-fueled vision.
Mayor Don Lyons and City Manager Kevin Anderson offered their full support in the progression of this idea, and under the Economic Development Committee, a subcommittee was formed. Eileen, Paige, and Councilman Bakeman have just announced the design submission contest, and they will spend the next few months bringing the finished product to fruition.
Photo by Tara Nally
“Flags help foster a sense of identity and celebrate the unique character of a city, state or country. In my mind, proof of that is how we are seeing the flag of Ukraine being posted everywhere as a sign of support, or the unifying power that the Pride flag holds,” Eileen Crouse tells us.
Individuals may enter up to three designs separately, and the project is open to any and everyone, not only residents of the City of Dowagiac. Four city-wide themes have been predetermined, and the new flag design should include some representation of these. Dowagiac brings many elements of beauty and grandeur to our area, but the general focus should be on the Dowagiac River and Creek, the Railroad and its’ construction through Cass County, the Ethnically Diverse Heritage of Dowagiac, and/or the History and Industry that built the city and enriched tourism, commerce, and agriculture.
The entry form and rules and regulations of the project can be found on the city’s website, and submissions will be allowed until 5:00 p.m. on April 11th, 2022. The chosen finalists will be unveiled to the public in May, where input and feedback from the community is encouraged. Final decisions and announcements of the winning design will be announced in June.
“I hope this project encourages citizens to get involved in our community,” Eileen says. “If you think of something or see an opportunity to make things better, talk to your council member. Invest your energy and talent in whatever way is meaningful to you.”
“This flag project will be a symbol that everyone will be able to unite under for a long period of time,” Councilman Bakeman says. “I am really looking forward to the process and final design. In 2022, the community of Dowagiac has a chance to be a part of the history of Dowagiac’s future.”
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
