In January, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that the City of Burlington would be looking for a new flag design. The current version was designed by eighth-grader Cara Wick in 1990, and that flag has proudly waved above city buildings ever since.

Yesterday, Burlington City Arts announced that it will be accepting submissions for a new design through October 15. A small committee of local residents, selected by BCA, will review them. And then the public gets to vote on the finalists between October October 20 and November 17.

The winner of the competition will receive a $250 honorarium, his or her own flag, and a yearlong membership to BCA. That lucky person will be announced on November 20, and the new flag will be unveiled during First Night Burlington on December 31.



What are desirable flag qualities? According to the press release, "a flag should be so simple a child could draw it from memory." There should be no lettering or seals; there should be "meaningful symbolism." It should go without saying that symbols and images alluding to drugs or illicit substances and activities are off limits.

As Tim Gunn would say, "Designers, make it work." As RuPaul would say, "Don't fuck it up."