JULY 26, 2026 — Following a public design initiative launched in April, the government of Seward, Nebraska, announced the winning entries for the city’s first official flag and a redesigned seal during its annual Fourth of July parade celebrations, says the Seward Independent.
The competition, organized partly to align with the municipality’s status as an official host city for the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, attracted roughly 300 submissions from local students and adult residents, some of whom participated through structured classroom projects.
Prior to the contest, Seward lacked an official city flag entirely, while its existing civic seal consisted of what Mayor Josh Eickmeier described as “a circle with the word seal in it.”
The winning flag proposal, submitted by local resident Hallie Easterday, features a red, white, and blue colour scheme built around a central ear of corn to represent the region’s agricultural foundations.
The selected municipal seal, designed by Doug Gremel, incorporates thematic fireworks beneath the city’s name to commemorate the national semiquincentennial.
City officials adjusted both winning concepts slightly to ensure visual simplicity and proper rendering across different media formats.
Mayor Eickmeier told the press, “I was really excited that there was that much participation, that people really embraced it. They were very thoughtful. It is interesting to me to see people’s different perspectives. I kind of expected it might be more fireworks and 4th of July.”
Each primary winner received a $25 cash prize, an official certificate signed by Mayor Eickmeier, and a framed copy of their work, while the top three finalists in both categories received $10 prizes.
Image: City of Seward
