Frederick County wrapped up its 275th anniversary celebration with a new design for its flag.
Designed by Marc DeOcampo, who lives in the county, “Frederick, the Crossroads of Maryland” incorporates the red, yellow, black, and white of the state flag into shapes that intersect to form a crossroad pattern.
“I am thankful for the unexpected honor to have my flag design selected to symbolize our County. I never imagined spending an enjoyable afternoon designing flags with my teenage son would turn into a meaningful reflection of Frederick County as the crossroads of Maryland,” DeOcampo said after finding out he had the winning design.
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the County flag re-design contest in January 2023. More than 3,000 votes were cast in the final round of the re-design contest, which was held from May 5 until June 10, concluding 275th Jubilee event.
Contest voters had four options. Three, including DeOcampo’s, were new. The fourth choice was the current county flag, which was created as part of a similar contest held during the county’s celebration of the bicentennial.
Dave Fowler, 15 June 2023
People who live and work within Frederick County can now vote for one of three new flag designs or the county’s current flag design as part of a competition commemorating the county’s 275th anniversary.
Voting ends on June 10, the county’s 275th anniversary. The winner will be announced on Flag Day, June 14.
The county announced the finalists on Friday. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,275 and a full-size flag with their design.
The redesign competition received more than 137 submissions, whose designs were judged by the County Flag Contest Selection Committee for simplicity, color scheme and narrative, according to a county press release.
Dave Fowler, 6 May 2023
Previous flag
image by Rick Wyatt, 28 September 1998
The flag was the result of a flag contest held in 1976 by the Frederick County Bicentennial Commission. A panel then selected 5 entries using as criteria public vote on the best flag and an evaluation from flag manufacturers on the best design that would be adaptable to a flag. The contest was won by James Pearl. The stripes represent Frederick County's patriotic heritage. The figure of Francis Scott Key on the flag reproduces the statue at his grave at Mt. Olivet cemetery in Frederick city. The right hand points to the flag, the left hand depicts him holding the Star-Spangled Banner. The design was adapted to show Key pointing to a map of Frederick County.
![[Flag of Frederick County, Maryland]](../images/u/us-md-fc.gif)
image located by Dave Fowler, 15 June 2023
- indicates flag is known.
- indicates it is reported that there is no known flag.![[Flag of Frederick County, Maryland]](../images/u/us-md-fc-o.gif)
image by Rick Wyatt, 28 September 1998
![[seal of Frederick County, Maryland]](../images/u/us-md-fc).gif)
image located by Paul Bassinson, 8 July 2018![[Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Maryland]](../images/u/us-md-fc-sh.jpg)
image located by Paul Bassinson, 8 May 2021
