Eupora Designs Its First City Flag

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – The state flag may be a touchy subject. But for a few cities and towns in our area, having their own banner brings a sense of pride to residents.

Flags for countries, states and some cities have been raised in front of businesses and downtown areas for decades.

Throughout Eupora’s history, the city has never had a flag to call its own, and Mayor Lamar Dumas took a notice to that.

“I attended the MML conference down in Biloxi, and I saw a lot of flags,” said Eupora Mayor, Lamar Dumas. “And so I asked ‘Why does everyone have flags and stuff?’ They asked us, ‘Where’s your flag? Where’s your flag?’ I called back to city hall and asked about the flag, and they said ‘well we don’t have one.'”

Back in September of 2017, Dumas began working with Aldermen and the local high school’s art department.

After searching through a number of submissions they found their design, the one belonging to Shannon Allred.

“I’m so excited to this day that my design won,” said the Eupora High School Junior.

Her design features the city’s founding year, 1889, and the state’s flower, the magnolia.

Allred says she feels this assignment was the best way for her to show her talents.

“I was ecstatic about it because I love to draw, and I wanted to show my trust, respect, and my loyalty to my city that I’ve been growing up in ever since I was a little baby,” said Allred.

Making a few tweaks, Dumas added a motto in the bottom banner of the design.

“‘A city unified working for the common good,’ a motto we hope represents what the city may become, you know. We may not be there yet, but we’re going to work towards it,” said Dumas.

Once the design is finished, leaders believe having this banner is a step in the right direction to becoming a more unified city.

“We do understand it’s going to take time, but if we don’t take one step towards it anything won’t be done,” said Dumas. “We are making that effort, the aldermen, myself, along with other city people trying to make the city of Eupora the city that people will love to come visit and possibly live in.”

The flag is set for some minor modifications at the next aldermen meeting and is expected to be raised in front of city hall in April.