Mayor Virginia Merrimac raised the Confederate States battle flag, symbol of Southern pride, at 3 p.m.
"I hope this says we're a city that's inclusive, not exclusive, tolerant and more concerned with the quality of life than in judging the way other people live," the mayor said as the historic banner joined the U.S. federal and Florida state flags in the breeze.
The flag will fly at city hall until Sunday afternoon, then be taken down and brought to Lee Park for the ninth annual GritsFest celebration.
This is the third year Birth of a Nation, Inc., the county's Southern-heritage community center, has held Dixie pride festivities in Lee Park, and the second year Merrimac has raised a Rebel flag over city hall.
Last year, however, the flag flew only briefly on the day of the festival before being taken down and moved to the park.
"Our mission is to promote pride and diversity and public awareness," said Booker T. Lee, BOAN's executive director, "and having the flag fly all week turns this from a one-day event to a weeklong message."
GritsFest will begin at noon Sunday with a parade down Fake Avenue to Lee Park, followed by food, beverages, entertainment -- and of course grits -- sponsored by Southern- friendly businesses until 6 p.m.