Project Main Street Brings Patriotic Feel to Caldwell

Project Main Street, a volunteer non-profit initiative of the Caldwell Downtown Alliance, installed 35 American flags along Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell last week.

Project Main Street President Jerry Smith along with Alan and Diane Ryan, Barbara Pucciarello, Alan Schindler and Christy Berg began hanging the flags Friday morning at 5 a.m., for the Fourth of July weekend.

The flags were purchased with money raised by Project Main Street's Caldwell Beautification Dinner that featured a tricky tray and 50/50 raffle on May 29.

In addition to the flags, the group plans to hang flower baskets, also purchased with money raised from the dinner, throughout the downtown area this month.

"Raising a five-foot flag is an emotional experience," Smith said. "But raising over 30 flags for our community to share is overwhelming. Our Stars and Stripes are a timeless, yet constant reminder of who we are and where we belong. Our freedom has been made possible by our brothers and sisters who serve our country today and throughout the past two centuries to preserve our way of life."

While Project Main Street promotes its mission as "your avenue to a vibrant downtown," the organization recognizes that this first step in the downtown beautification plans, took a community effort.

"I hope that as people look down Bloomfield Avenue and see these beautiful flags flying, they're proud that they had a hand in their presence," said Christy Berg, Project Main Street board member. "Whether someone helped us raise money, ran or supported our Beautification Dinner, gave the necessary approvals or rolled up their sleeves to work on this project, everyone's contribution made a difference."

For more information on Project Main Street, e-mail projectmainst@gmail.com or follow on Facebook or its blog.