SEATTLE, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Space Needle is honored to help bring the hometown spirit and pride of Seattle to New Jersey. The 25' x 35' "12" Flag, flown atop the Space Needle for every playoff run that the Seattle Seahawks have made in recent years, will be raised on top of the Space Needle this Wednesday, then brought down to be signed by hundreds of avid Seahawks fans, known as 12s, and special guests following the Seahawks Rally at Seattle Center. From there, the signed flag will be flown to New Jersey for a week of fan events and given to the team prior to the kick-off of Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday, February 2.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140127/SF53264)

"Seattle relishes opportunities like this to show our civic pride," according to Jeff Wright, Chairman of the Board of the Space Needle. "It was atop the Space Needle where the '12' Flag made its first appearance in 2005. We can't imagine anything more exciting than sending the '12' Flag to the Super Bowl, where it will carry with it the spirit of our proud and supportive fans and city."

This "Needle to New Jersey" flag relay will begin at the base of the Space Needle Wednesday, January 29, where the flag will be put on display for all Seahawks fans to sign their well wishes to the team from 12:30pm-3:30pm that day directly following the Seahawks Rally at Seattle Center.

A special VIP send-off will depart from Thomas Street following the signing at 4:30pm, where a motorcade, led by a MTR Seahawks wrapped motorcoach filled with excited 12s, will transport the flag from the Space Needle to the airport, to kick-off this celebratory cross country journey. A replacement "12" Flag will be raised to assure one is in its proper place atop the Needle, while the historic signed flag makes its way back East.

Throughout the week, the "12" Flag will rally through Manhattan. This historic flag and symbol of the 12s will be unveiled at key locations every day in the city that never sleeps.

Updates from this journey of the "12" Flag will be announced every step of the way via Space Needle social channels. Visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/spaceneedle) or follow #NeedletoNJ to stay up to date with latest. Seahawks fans in New York and New Jersey for the big game are encouraged to join the Space Needle team wherever they might crop up in locations synonymous with NYC.

About Space Needle
Built as the centerpiece and inspiration for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the Space Needle has since become a part of the Seattle experience and the globally recognized icon for the city.

The Space Needle stands 605 feet tall with unparalleled views of Seattle, and houses an Observation Deck, an award-winning restaurant, SkyCity at the Needle, a popular private event venue, and a retail shop.

Open year-round, the Space Needle hosts more than a million visitors per year. For more information visit: www.spaceneedle.com.

SOURCE Space Needle