Council Votes to Hang Medallion - Residents Call for Return of Flannels to Town

CEDAR SPRINGS — The future of the city’s “Red Flannel Town” medallion drew a crowd at the July 9 City Council meeting, as residents packed the chambers to weigh in on where, and how, the symbol should move forward within the community.

In the end, the council voted 5‑1 to hang the medallion in the new council chambers, placing it opposite the city’s official logo.

The discussion follows a June 11 meeting in which council members debated whether the large “Red Flannel Town, Cedar Springs, Michigan” medallion, previously displayed in the former City Hall council chambers, should be hung in the new City Hall, donated to the Cedar Springs Historical Museum or given to the Red Flannel Festival board.

At the latest meeting, several members of the community approached the podium prepared with written statements, while others, including former Mayor Linda Hunt, spoke off the cuff, voicing concerns not only about the medallion’s placement but about what some described as a broader absence of red flannel symbolism throughout the city.

Though the well‑known dispute between the city and the Red Flannel Festival board from roughly 14 years ago lingered in the background of the conversation, only a few speakers referenced it directly. Instead, many focused on what the emblem represents today and how it should be honored moving forward.

At one point during the discussion, it was suggested that the city partner with the Red Flannel Festival to formally rededicate Cedar Springs as “The Red Flannel Town,” with the medallion serving as a capstone to the ceremony and the beginning of restoring red flannel icons across the community.

Red Flannel Festival Board President Matt Andres indicated he would welcome such collaboration, stating he is willing to stand alongside the city for a rededication ceremony if the opportunity arises.

"I love the idea of rededicating Cedar Springs as the Red Flannel Town." said Andres. "The Red Flannel Festival fully supports that idea, and we'd love the opportunity to work with the City to help make it happen."

Council Member Ron Howell said he was encouraged by the level of public participation.

“I think it went very well,” Howell said. “It’s encouraging to see so many people show up to defend their town’s heritage and identity. This is how democracy works.”

What began as a question about where to hang a sign has evolved into a broader conversation about identity, partnership and how Cedar Springs chooses to honor its past while shaping its future.

"We'd also love to see the Festival's iconic Red Flannel logo become a more visible part of the community again and be used by the City as part of celebrating our shared identity," said Andres.

Clearing up rumors of a continued conflict with the city, Andres stated, "I also want to emphasize that there really is not a rift between the City and the Festival. We've enjoyed a long partnership, and we have a signed trademark agreement that allows both the City and the Festival to use the Red Flannel logos in exchange for the City's continued in-kind support of the Festival. That partnership has served both organizations well, and I'd love to see us continue building on it for many years to come."

As the medallion returns to the council wall, the larger conversation about celebrating Cedar Springs’ Red Flannel heritage in a visual way appears far from over.