(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It’s a Chicago tradition that has lasted more than 100 years: the raising of The Great Flag in downtown’s most iconic department store.
Each year, heading into Memorial Day weekend, the world’s largest American Flag is draped from the seventh floor of Macy’s on State Street, formerly Marshall Field’s.
“It’s wonderful to see customers come in and really just stop themselves and look up and admire the Great Flag,” store manager Matt Sarosy said Friday.
The tradition began in 1916, when Marshall Field’s first hung a custom-made, 900-pound wool flag that was 50 feet wide and 100 feet in length.
The American used today is made of a lighter parachute material but just as big. Sarosy said it takes eight employees about 90 minutes to steam the flag as it is prepared for display.
The Great Flag is on display until July 10.
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