It was in 1969 that Anthony Drake created the Saskatchewan flag while teaching in Hodgeville.

Fast forward 50 years and Drake is in what may be his final trip to the province from his home in England.

So far on this trip, he has been a VIP at a Saskatchewan Roughriders games, a VIP at the Moose Jaw Air Show, and yesterday was at a celebration that took place at the Bentley retirement residence in Swift Current.

"[This has been] a very pleasant journey and place to come to," Drake said. "It brings back a lot of memories from 50 years ago from when we were living in Hodgeville, and the flag and everything that is left in my memories and will probably live forever."

Drake said that so many things have been going on that he jokes he might have a hard time remembering it all.

"Well, the trip has been fantastic. All sorts of surprises," he said. "Been given VIP tickets for the football and sitting right at the front, I mean that was wonderful. Lots of things that people have done and provided and suggested that it is becoming known, and I can't put them all together in my memories."

Warren Michelson, MLA for Moose Jaw North, was in attendance on behalf of the province and said that more should be done to recognize Drake coming back to the province.

"We are not giving enough credit to the fact that we have the designer here after 50 years that is from out of the province, out of the country, and makes the effort to come back," he said.

Michelson added that it's good to reflect on Drake's contributions and what the Saskatchewan flag means.

Gail Hapanowicz is the manager for Home of the Sk. Flag Foundation Inc.and has been organizer Drake's trip.

"It's good to stop and think about it once in a while and realize the significance that it (the flag) has with the province and the people of the province and all it means," he said. "He is here because we appreciate him. It's not that he is trying to be a star in any way, which he is, but delightful man to know and to be able to sit down and talk with."

"They are all so thankful," she said when talking about how people react to meeting Drake. "They just love what it represents, and they can't believe it's 50 years old. It's a great response anywhere we go."

Next up for Drake, he will appear at city council on July 15, then will be having tea at the Lt. Governor's Office, and will head to Shaunavon for Boomtown Days.