The "best" days for Flag Retreat are Sunday thru Thursday. These days have the complete show, as the Main St. Philharmonic does not work on Friday & Saturday and the "show" is just not the same without them.
A guest veteran is chosen for each day, usually in the morning and in the Town Sq. area near to the City Hall area, normally picking someone that is identifiable as a veteran (hat, shirt, etc.). They are then asked to return to Town Sq. at about 4:45 for Flag Retreat. The guest veteran receives a certificate, photo and a special pin and has to agree that they will not trade or sell the pin, and on Philharmonic days, they will be recognized and presented with the certificate just after the flag is hauled down.
After the ceremony in Town Sq. the group lead by the Philharmonic, Main St. Ops., the Dapper Dans, the Veteran and then their family will march down Main St. to Center St. and then have the photos taken. On the inclement weather days when there is no Philharmonic, the audio is a recorded track and the group normally goes to the area just inside Town Sq. Theater for presentation and photos.
In addition to the guest veteran of the day, one of the Dapper Dans or one of the event managers will select a families children from nearby about 4:45 to recite the pledge of allegiance. These children will be selected at random.
I try to do Flag Retreat every day when I work (Main St. Ops.) a shift that includes FR as it is very special to me as a Vietnam veteran and it is just a very rewarding ceremony for me to participate in.