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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Rocketeer red wasn't the only color of school spirit at Allen Avenue School on Monday as students decked out in patriotic hues celebrated Flag Day.

Olivia Pallister and David Engler, serving as masters of ceremony, welcomed parents, teachers and their fellow students to the ceremony in unison, saying, "Today we honor the 233rd birthday of the American flag."

The 43rd annual ceremony, a hallmark of the school's annual schedule, was marked with patriotic songs, poetry and essays, as well as the pageant of U.S. flags carried by the school's fourth-graders.

The school's flag was raised by local veterans, boy scouts and girl scouts.

"We'd like to dedicate today's ceremony to all those who are currently serving in our armed forces at this time," school Principal Gideon Gaudette said. The pageant of flags parade included the the Grand Union flag, which was was raised in 1776, and features a Union Jack instead of stars in the upper corner, a replica of the first official U.S. flag, with its well-known circle of 13 stars originally sewn by Betsy Ross to the current flag of 50 stars, first flown on July 4, 1960 after Hawaii became a state.

Third-graders Derek Shanks and Julia Tolfa were winners of a poetry contest that focused on the Massachusetts state flag.

"I am the Massachusetts State flag, you should treat me with respect so you shouldn't let me sag," Tolfa's poem began.

Fourth-graders Adam Mirza and Kathryn Gallagher were the winners of an essay contest on the theme of "What the Flag Means to Me."

Gallagher read her essay aloud and said, "The flag is a very important part of our country. It stands for our freedom and justice."

Kindergarteners wore hand-colored Uncle Sam style paper hats, and first-graders marched wearing T-shirts covered with red and blue stars.

And there were enough red, white and blue hair ribbons and bead necklaces that laid flat they might have circled the school.

State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, gave the school a proclamation and told students that Flag Day is her favorite holiday because her maiden name was Betsy Ross.

Students in kindergarten through grade 2 also participated in a poster contest.

Winners were: Haley Schriever, Sam Foley, Nicholas Mignacca, Sophia Pierce, Carter Boudreau, Lydia Santos, Connor Eaton, Kayla Cantara, Albert Wu, Danny Gallagher, Brett Labonte, Julia Hutchinson, Brodey Tinkham, Jack McInnis, Jillian Allen, Emma Gaulin, Genevieve Tang and Ian Whitney.