PARMA, Ohio — will officially name the flamingo as its city mascot during a resolution signing ceremony at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The event will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, in front of the zoo’s flamingo habitat. Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman will join Parma City Council members for the ceremony.

“Parma residents love their flamingos," said Mayor DeGeeter. "What began as a joke in the 1960s aimed at residents adorning their front yards with flamingo lawn ornaments has been embraced over the years by the community. In fact, we have two large flamingo sculptures on display in Parma. One is at our Anthony Zielinski Park next to our script Parma sign. The other is in Quarry District.”

The pink bird has long been a symbol of Parma. Local businesses and

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