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Orlando, Florida (U.S.)

Orange County

image by Rob Raeside, 18 July 2017

Description of the flag
- Earlier version of the flag
Seal
Previous flag
Police Department
Lake Como

See also:

Description of the Flag

According to www.cityoforlando.net/flag/ and a post I saw on the Portland Flag Association Instagram account, Orlando, Florida, adopted a new flag on July 24th, 2017. The flag description, according to the website, goes as follows:

"Orlando's fountain at Lake Eola Park is the most distinctive and recognizable symbol in the city, one that is loved by our residents and enjoyed by our visitors. The water ascending from the fountain represents the continuous flow of energy and innovation that makes Orlando a city on the rise. The six equal segments on the base of the fountain embody the city's six commission districts. The iconic fountain is surrounded by the letter "O", which symbolizes Orlando's unity, connectivity and timelessness. The color yellow represents the sunshine, hope and happiness that thrive in our great city. The reflection of the "O" in the water symbolizes our careful consideration of our past and our bold vision for the future. The flag is set on a two-toned background of blue and white representing patriotism, perseverance and peace."

The flag was chosen by the city council with input from the public following a public contest that was documented at www.cityoforlando.net. It was designed by Tim Eggert, a resident of the city with prior work as a graphic artist in New York and currently works for Kimley-Horn, an Orlando-based engineering firm. Also, according to the website, the flag is licensed by Creative Commons, with Attribution (allows modification and commercial use, as long as credit is given). The license is located at creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Zachary Harden, 25 July 2017

Earlier version of the flag

From www.cityoforlando.net:
"On Friday, June 16, 2017, the Flag Design Review committee met and unanimously approved a design for the new Orlando flag. The proposed flag is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Orlando City Council for approval and adoption on Monday, July 24, 2017."
Vexinews, 13 May 2017

On Friday, June 16, 2017, the Flag Design Review committee met and unanimously approved a design for the new Orlando flag: www.cityoforlando.net/flag
Vexinews, 26 June 2017

The design selected by the committee followed a vote on a final set of four flags.

image located by Vexinews, 22 April 2017

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the winning design in a flag vote features an image of the Lake Eola fountain set against a blue backdrop and encircled by a letter "O" reflected in water. The city's Flag Design Review Committee will then meet morning to review the voting results and make a recommendation. Ultimately, the City Council has the final say. The flag committee can "alter, modify or combine designs to create an official City of Orlando flag to recommend."

Here's how the leading design's creator described its symbolism: "The upper arc of the 'O' symbolizes both a rainbow and unity. The reflection in the water closes the 'O' and closes the circle of unity. The blue of the fountain and the white of the 'O' symbolize hopeful images and stand out on the blue flag."
Vexinews, 22 April 2017

Seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 24 June 2019

Source: https://www.orlando.gov
Paul Bassinson, 24 June 2019

Previous flag (1980-2017)

image by Olivier Touzeau, 23 June 2005

From City website:

The flag was adopted by the Orlando City Council on June 2, 1980, the result of a design competition sponsored by the Orlando Kiwanis Club and the Council of Arts and Sciences. Prior to 1980, the city had no official flag. Despite its relatively brief history, the City of Orlando flag is well-traveled. The flag was flown into space aboard the shuttle Columbia in 1983 and again aboard the Discovery in 1985, logging a total of 278 earth orbits and more than 7 million miles. The City flag also accompanied retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger on his historic solo transatlantic balloon flight in 1984.

submitted by: Olivier Touzeau, 25 August 2001

The flag featured five colors and centers on an image of Lake Eola, flanked by buildings and trees.

Police Department

image located by Paul Bassinson, 8 January 2022

Source: https://www.facebook.com/58169000877/photos/pb.100064705926913.-2207520000../10158390557595878/?type=3
Paul Bassinson, 8 January 2022

Lake Como

image located by David sigley, 3 July 2023

The Community Paper wrote an Article on the Lake Como Neighborhood in Orlando adopting an official flag.

Lake Como Neighborhood: Official Lake Como flag combines diverse ideas, neighborhood symbols.
By Guest Writer on Auguat 30, 2021
Submitted by Jennifer Piper
Source: https://www.yourcommunitypaper.com/articles/lake-como-neighborhood/

Lake Como will soon have its first community flag thanks to the help of neighborhood volunteers. When Lisa Morgan noticed people commenting on the neighborhood Facebook page about wanting a community flag, she jumped into action.

After several months on hold due to busy work schedules and COVID-19, however, the flag is finally in production after the community had a chance to virtually discuss, design and create their vision of what Lake Como means to them. Neighbors had the opportunity to submit their flag ideas over several weeks, and the top three designs were nominated.

Lisa gathered a group of volunteers and began working on the final steps of voting and the production of the flag.

“We have some very talented neighbors, and I am so thankful for their efforts in helping with the design and execution of the new Lake Como Flag,” Lisa Morgan said. “Some residents were born and raised here in Lake Como and others have been here less than 5 years. It was fun to hear childhood stories and the various meanings of Lake Como from different generations.”

The flag symbolizes a few staples that you will see around the neighborhood.

The lion statue on the north end of the lake was sculpted and donated by the MacBride family, longtime residents. For the MacBrides, the lion symbolized strength and courage.

Lake Como is also known for its bright yellow and pink Tabebuia trees, lush green grass and tranquil Lake. “The neighborhood is diverse, fun and friendly,” Lisa said, “and we wanted to capture this in the flag with lots of colors.”

Lisa expressed “a BIG thank you and congratulations to Jennifer Collier,” the graphic designer and founder/CEO at Collier Design|Marketing who submitted the first-place design. Lisa also thanked Faith Armon, creative director of Frecklefoot Designs, who was “a huge help with the flag production” and Heather Wirtz, “who kept track and calculated votes … so there were no recounts, LOL!”

Finally, Lisa said, “To all neighbors that provided input and submitted flag designs, thank you!”
David sigley, 3 July 2023