SLIPPERY ROCK – Betsy Ross would not believe her eyes, had she attended an event in Slippery Rock Park on Saturday, July 1.

At a ceremony attended by many local, county, state and U.S. officials plus more than 250 patriotic Slippery Rock-area residents, a colossal American flag measuring 40 feet by 80 feet was raised on a new 150-foot flagpole made of American steel.

More than 20 people were needed to hold the voluminous flag before and during its raising so it did not touch the ground.

The flag’s placement on a hill in the park makes it wave at 1,300 feet above sea level, which is higher than other regional flags on 150-foot poles, said Johndavid Longo, Slippery Rock mayor.

“It’s not only the biggest flag in the county,” Longo said, “but according to my research, it’s also the largest in a 130-mile radius.”

Longo welcomed U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th; state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st; state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th; Leslie Osche, county commissioners chairwoman; Sheriff Mike Slupe; and other officials to the triumphant ceremony to raise the enormous flag as America prepares to celebrate her 247th birthday Tuesday.

While the ceremony was cut short by an approaching thunderstorm between 12:30 and 1 p.m., all in attendance were obviously impressed by the oversized U.S. symbol as it waved in slow motion in the high winds that preceeded the storm.

The VFW Post 2006 Memorial Pipe and Drum Band played “Amazing Grace” before the ceremony began, but the weather forced the band to cut short its military set that honors all branches of the U.S. military.

Longo told the crowd that two years ago, he looked over the section of the park, saw an empty horizon, and decided a flag should adorn the natural setting.

“Believe it or not, this is how this conversation got going,” he said.

He thanked all who helped bring the flag raising to fruition, from donors to the $85,000 project to those who worked a 70-hour week and up until 11:30 p.m. Friday to prepare for the event.

Just before the rain began in earnest, Kelly asked those who had served or are serving in the military to stand for a round of applause.

Glancing at the flag, Hutchinson said Americans don’t wait for things to happen.

“They form groups and make their communities better,” he said of those who worked toward the flag raising.

Longo announced that lightning strikes were occurring 10 miles away, so he ordered the flag to be raised as he stood watching with Kelly, Slupe and Osche while an opera singer belted out the national anthem.

The pipe and drum band played “God Bless America” as the enormous Old Glory slowly rose 150 feet.

Roy and Karen Peffer, of Marion Township, were glad they attended the ceremony, even if it was abbreviated by a summer storm.

“We are very, patriotic and we want to support our community,” Roy said.

“I just thought it was a very good way to honor our small town with this beautiful flag,” Karen said.

Kathy Fox, of Slippery Rock Township, was thrilled that the high-flying idea actually became a reality.

“I am a lifetime resident of Slippery Rock and I’m very proud of our mayor for doing this for the town,” Fox said.

David Hollenbaugh, executive director of the Slippery Rock University Foundation, would not divulge the amount of the generous donation Longo said the foundation made.

“It’s really great to be a part of this,” Hollenbaugh said. “It’s a symbol of what unites us, not our differences.”

He said he hopes SRU students take the time to enjoy the huge flag when it is raised.

“Our country is great when the community is great,” Hollenbaugh said. “The flag is an excellent representation of the things we can do together.”

Longo said the flag raised Saturday will fly on patriotic holidays. A 30-foot by 60-foot version will fly the remainder of the year.

He said the main reason he opted for such a grandiose flag was a survey he read that stated 50% of 18- to 25-year-olds feel indifferent toward the American flag.

“This is an opportunity for us to remind everyone of the beauty of our flag and the lofty ideals for which it stands,” Longo said.

He said he appreciated those who attended the ceremony, where rows of people stood behind and beside the filled seats before the dais.

“It means the flag and everything it stands for is important to our communities and neighboring communities,” Longo said.