Showing American Pride, Local Realtors Plant Thousands of Flags on Mercer Island

Like springtime annuals on Mercer Island's thoroughfares, thousands of red, white and blue replicas of the nation's flags suddenly sprang up just in time to honor the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

For 23 years, realtors from local real estate brokerage  have taken to local streets with the flags to show their patriotic pride a few days before the nation's birthday.   

Walking down SE 27th Street Friday afternoon with a clutch of replica flags in one hand and a metal stake in the other, Realtor Jack Alhadeff said the Island had never been shy about displaying the Stars and Stripes. He said about 50 people were out putting flags along Island Crest Way, the South-end and all around the Town Center.

"I remember when I first moved here, I was just flabbergasted by all the flags," he said. "It's a real feel-good thing to do."

Coldwell Banker Bain encourages the public to pick them up and decorate their own homes after the holiday is over, said Alhadeff.

Lining Mercer Island's streets with over 7,000 of the two-foot tall US-made replica flags were a pretty tall task to accomplish in a few days, so Coldwell Banker Bain enlisted the services of members of the Northwest University Volleyball team from Kirkland. The team was seeking fundraising sponsors for the next season and the realtors were more than happy for the help.

As Alhadeff, a 33-year Mercer Island resident, placed the flags along the curb about every 10 feet, a car slowed to a crawl and the driver called out to him.

"Thank you!" the driver shouted.

"You're welcome," Alhadeff called back.

Here's a quick rundown of the flags on Mercer Island:

• Over 7,000 replica flags
• Found on Island Crest Way, SE 68th Street, 78th Avenue SE, SE 27th Street and other areas in Town Center and
• 50 volunteers, including Northwest Univ. women's volleyball team members
• 23rd year of planting the flags