The 2017 Old Glory Relay made its way through the Santa Clarita Valley, setting the stage for a patriotic evening on Town Center Drive at the Westfield Valencia Town Center Thursday evening.

Hosted by Team Red White & Blue and presented by Microsoft, the relay is a team of runners who pass the American Flag from runner to runner as they run from city to city and state to state across the U.S.

Dozens of community members came out show their support and patriotism at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Members of the armed forces representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines manned booths with activities for attendees.

It was an evening of live entertainment and activities for the whole family. Facepainting, photo booths, cornhole games, a pull-up challenge, balloon animals and military displays lined up Town Center Drive at the event.

Little School of Music in Valencia performed patriotic music for the audience, while local Girl and Boy Scout troops presented the colors and led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste was in attendance at the event showing her support.

“I look at this flag that is going to be carried across America, one flag that can never touch the ground, that they are putting the effort to go over 4000 miles — it’s really a grand flag,” said Weste. “We want everyone to know that Santa Clarita has a rich tradition of supporting its veterans and their families. We are very proud that we can participate in this mission with (Team Red White & Blue).”

This year’s relay started in Seattle, Washington on Sept. 11 and has been making its way down the West Coast since then, with a goal to make it to Tampa Bay in Florida by Veterans Day on Nov. 11, according to Team Red White & Blue officials.

“We’re just passing one single American flag from one hand to another all the way across the country,” said Donnie Starling, development manager for Team Red White & Blue.

Team Red White & Blue is a national veteran-serving nonprofit organization with approximately 125,000 members and  200 locations in the U.S., according to officials.

“Our mission is to enrich the lives of American veterans through social and physical activities,” said Starling. “So just like we’re here tonight in Valencia, we’re going to have a little physical activity as the flag gets run in, and then there’s a bunch of social activity with the community.”

Starling, a veteran as well, served 18 years as an officer in the Air Force as a KC-135 Navigator, and participated in the first year of the Old Glory Relay.

“The physical aspect is important as we reintegrate and re-connect veterans with their communities, by creating quality relationships and experiences that contribute to life satisfaction and overall well being,” according to the organization’s mission page.

This is the fourth year of the Old Glory Relay and the second nationwide route in the history of the relay. Next year’s relay is expected to have a brand new route, but should still pass through the Santa Clarita Valley, officials said.

Friday morning, the Old Glory Relay runners began their departure from the Santa Clarita Valley starting at the American Legion in Newhall, running down Main Street at approximately 8 a.m.

To get involved by joining a team, running, cheering or sending encouragement to runners, click here.

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