December 4th Is Our Flag's Anniversary!

December 4th Is Our Flag's Anniversary!

The Flag's History

Barnes Wheaton GM North Surrey is the site of the world's tallest, free standing flag pole. Originally erected on the "Expo 86" site, the flag pole was located and re-dedicated on December 4th, 1987. 

The flag pole is 282.4 feet high and weights 130,000 lbs! It is supported by a concrete and steel base that weights 300 tons and spans half way across 104th Ave. The flag is 40' X 80' and is changed every three months or when it gets torn (whichever comes first). 

The flag pole has an inside ladder and interior lighting allowing access to the crows nest. The pole is x-rayed annually and inspected to ensure its continued stability. 

Fun Flag Facts!

The flag pole is listed in the "1986 Guinness Book of World Records" as the World's tallest free standing in 1986. 

It stands as a tribute to the community for its involvement in "Expo 86". 

It takes 15 minutes to climb! Sorry, no elevators. 

To change the flag, a team of 2 men and 6 man hours is required. 

The Surrey Fire Department has used the flag pole for high rescue training and has been used for fund raising by the RCMP's Kids with Cancer campaign. 

The Rebellious 90's: Sometime in the 90's a protest group got a key to the flag pole door and put a protest banner down the side of the pole. They jammed the trap door in the crow's nest and propelled down the outside of the pole, right into the long arms of the Law. 

It is said that if a single person is holding the end of the Flag and there is a gust of wind. It can pick that person off the crow's nest. For this reason, all personnel wear harnesses and safety tethers.