This is the Largest Patriotic Display in New York State

There are a few dates on the calendar that you hope to spend with family and friends every year. The obvious one is Christmas. The other, for me, is Independence Day.

For Christmas, you hope for snow. For the Fourth of July, you hope for sunshine and hot weather. It looks like this Independence Day, we’ll get plenty of heat, even if there are a few clouds mixed in. Regardless of the forecast, it’s time to celebrate 250 years of this great country.

How are you celebrating this year? Are you decorating your home with red, white, and blue? If you’re looking for a fun road trip, you may want to visit what could be one of the largest displays of patriotism in New York State.

The Maplery in Varysburg

My Dad Taught Me the Importance of American History

My father was a history teacher in the West Seneca Central School District in Western New York. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of family road trips to the Adirondacks, where he would turn the drive into a history lesson.

Read More: New York Residents are Furious Over this Air Conditioner Rule

He specialized in American history and even developed his own course on the history of Western New York. I wish I had half the knowledge he did, but he made sure we understood why Independence Day mattered. I can still remember hearing stories about the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence while traveling with him.

Now that I have children of my own, I’m trying to pass along some of that same appreciation for history. I want them to understand why we’re celebrating 250 years of freedom in the United States this summer.

The Maplery in Varysburg

One of the Biggest American Flags in New York State

If you’re looking for a quick road trip that includes great ice cream and an incredible patriotic display, make your way to Varysburg, New York.

Outside The Maplery stands an enormous American flag that is impossible to miss.

According to owner Dave Boxler, the flag measures an incredible 30 feet by 50 feet and flies from a flagpole that stands well over 100 feet tall. It is a breathtaking sight and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in this charming small town.

I can only imagine how proud the family must feel seeing that flag every day. For the rest of us, it’s become a destination. Whether you’re stopping for homemade ice cream—or even one of their popular boozy ice cream treats—the giant American flag is something you have to see in person.

Flying the Flag This Independence Day

Do you have an American flag displayed at your home this summer?

Is Old Glory hanging from your front porch or flying proudly from a flagpole in your yard? I’ve also loved seeing the blue America 250 flags popping up across Western New York. A special shout-out to the Village of Hamburg, which has placed them alongside American flags throughout Main Street.

I’ve always had tremendous respect for the American flag, especially after my brother became a United States Marine and proudly served our country. Add to that the many veterans in my family and the friends I’ve made over the years who answered the call to serve, and that respect has only grown.

My kids ask me all the time why the flag means so much to me. It’s hard to put into words, but the biggest reason is simple: we wouldn’t be here 250 years later celebrating our freedom if it weren’t for the men and women who sacrificed so much for that flag and everything it represents.

That massive American flag in Varysburg is a powerful reminder of those heroes. It stands tall as a tribute to the people who defended our country and the freedoms we enjoy today.

If you’re looking for a memorable Fourth of July road trip in New York State, it’s worth the drive. You’ll get a chance to experience a little American history, make some family memories, and enjoy a scoop of maple ice cream along the way.