Toledo Prepares to Unveil a New City Flag Next Week

JANUARY 2, 2025 — As Toledo, Ohio celebrates its 188th birthday, the city is gearing up to unveil a new flag design on January 7th, the Toledo Blade reports.

The initiative, which began in 2024, has involved extensive community input and a detailed review process.

The city-led design review board plans to present the chosen flag to Toledo City Council during its agenda review meeting on Tuesday, which will be the 188th anniversary of Toledo’s founding.

The council will discuss the design but will not vote until its first biweekly meeting of the year on January 14. While the council’s approval is not legally required, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz emphasized its importance as part of a transparent and inclusive public process.

The journey to replace the current flag, adopted in 1994, began in earnest in March 2024.

More than 80 submissions were reviewed, with 10 semifinalists selected by a design review board composed of community leaders and representatives from organizations such as the Toledo Museum of Art and the University of Toledo.

The semifinalist designs shared several common themes, including color schemes of white, blue, and gold, as well as imagery such as stars and blockhouse-inspired graphics. One design, reminiscent of the Chicago flag, stood out for its similarity.

All semifinalist submissions, along with explanations from their creators, were made available on the Arts Commission’s website, where residents could provide input.

Image: Toledo Blade