SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 — Officials in Union County, Iowa are considering a public contest to redesign the local flag, says the Creston News Advertiser.
They are seeking a new emblem that represents all seven of its incorporated municipalities: Creston, Afton, Lorimor, Thayer, Arispe, Cromwell, and Shannon City.
The current flag, created during Iowa’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 1996, features a white field framing a black oval with illustrations of a train, a wagon wheel referencing the Mt. Pisgah Mormon Trail, and a sailboat.
While 99 county banners are displayed annually at Pella Plaza during the Iowa State Fair, only 26 Iowa counties still officially recognize their 1996 designs.
During an August meeting of the Union County Board of Supervisors, officials expressed a desire for a unified symbol that could lead local parades, decorate the county courthouse, and represent the jurisdiction at state events. Supervisor Dennis Hopkins proposed launching a design contest open exclusively to local residents.
Supervisor Rick Friday supported the idea of community involvement, stating, “I’d like to see it move forward, but I don’t want it to get too muddy. People might have some pretty good ideas.”
The board invited Mindy Stalker, director of the Union County Development Association, to discuss execution strategies. Stalker questioned whether the county should hire a professional designer, pointing to a similar branding initiative recently conducted for the city of Creston.
Board members declined the professional route, emphasizing that the initiative is intended as a low-cost community engagement project rather than a funded branding venture. Stalker noted that despite opting against grant-funded professional help, “We certainly have local talent. In a perfect world, we get great submissions and we have amazing participation in the vote.”
Supervisors are weighing selection methods, including a public vote or a designated panel of judges, with tentative plans to unveil the winning design by the Fourth of July in 2027 or potentially earlier.
Image: Creston News Advertiser
