MARS — The town square received a patriotic upgrade Friday with the installation of a flagpole that will fly the American flag and an America250 flag next weekend during the borough’s July 4 and America250 celebration.

The 25-foot pole topped with a gold colored ball finial represents a joint effort by the borough, Rich-Mar Rotary Club, Mars Area History and Landmarks Society and an anonymous donor.

“It’s a community effort, which is nice,” said Harry Austin, of the Rich-Mar Rotary Club.

The flagpole and the adjacent bell from the Vietnam-era Navy supply ship USS Mars will be the center of attention during two ceremonies on July 4.

First is a patriotic bell and flag ceremony starting at 11 a.m. Saturday that includes the dedication of the pole. The second is a 2 p.m. Bells Over America ceremony in which the ship’s bell will be rung 13 times in commemoration of the 13 colonies that existed 250 years ago in 1776. Churches will join in by ringing their bells, said Mayor Gregg Hartung.

The weekend celebration includes events and activities all day Friday and Saturday. The historical society is offering historic train rides Friday. A parade and fireworks display are scheduled for Saturday.

Hartung said the flagpole and flags will make a nice addition to the square.

“Adding the flagpole gives another element that people can appreciate. The spaceship is the main attraction. People climb all over it,” Hartung said.

Hartung joined Austin and another Rotarian in selecting the flagpole. Austin said he was surprised by the number of available options. They settled on a pole with the rope to raise and lower the flag located inside the pole, he said.

The borough was granted permission from the Navy to shine the bronze bell for the celebration, Hartung said. The Navy owns the bell and is lending it to the borough. It requires the borough to send it photos of the bell once a year, he said.

The bell’s days of becoming tarnished from being displayed outdoors in the square might be coming to an end. Hartung said there have been discussions about finding an indoor location for the bell if the proposed merger between the borough and Adams Township comes to fruition.