American flag at North Carolina Camping World raises controversy

GREENVILLE, North Carolina (WCTI) – In North Carolina, there’s a debate between patriotic symbolism and breaking city rules.

Camping World in Greenville has put up an oversized American Flag, but it’s against city regulations.

WCTI reports the business is being fined until it comes down.

The American Flag stretches to 3,200 square feet and 130 feet in the air.

The flag, which belongs to Camping World, is located on Red Banks Road and Evans Street.

General manager Jim Foskey says it’s a symbol of freedom.

Foskey says, “Some folks the other week say the flag’s not big enough.”

Current city ordinances only allow flags up to 70 feet and 216 square feet in size to fly.

On Jan. 9, all council members rejected Camping World’s request to extend non-commercial flag size limits.

They all agreed the flag is beautiful and patriotic, however, council members say Camping World put up this oversized flag without city approval.

They say they don’t want to reward breaking the rules.

Foskey says, “There was no intent to try to push this thing through. It’s what Camping World has and flies at the majority of their locations.”

City council fined Camping World for each day the flag remained – $50 for the first day, $100 for the second, $250 for the third and so on.

“We expected it, we know it was going to happen, but I think it’s going to be cleared up here real quickly,” Foskey says.

Camping World  CEO Marcus Lemonis posted on X, “The flag is not coming down.”

Foskey says, “We actually talked last week, and he said, ‘hey, I stand behind you, I support you, and we’re not taking the flag down.'”

On Jan. 25, all council members voted to create an ordinance to allow the flag to fly.

In the meantime, 25 pages are filled with signatures in support of keeping the flag.

State officials say Camping World will continue to face fines until the new ordinance is approved.