In Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, a legal battle is brewing—over an American flag. The city has filed a lawsuit against Camping World, a popular RV and outdoor gear company, for flying a massive American flag on a pole that is said to be too tall.
While the company sees it as a patriotic gesture, the city insists it’s about safety and local regulations. This has now turned into a public debate, raising questions about patriotism, city laws, and visual safety.
Why Is Sevierville Suing Camping World?
The city of Sevierville claims that the flagpole being used is much taller than allowed by their local rules. In their legal complaint, city officials say the oversized flagpole could be a visual distraction for drivers, a potential safety hazard, and may affect the scenic beauty of the area—a big reason why tourists visit Sevierville.
In a public statement, city officials made their stand clear:
“Let us be clear: the City of Sevierville is not, and never will be, against patriotism.”
They added that the issue is not about the flag itself, but about keeping structures at safe and visually acceptable heights.
What Does Camping World Say?
Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World, strongly disagrees with the city. He believes the flag does not pose any problems and has FAA clearance (approval from aviation authorities).
In an interview with FOX Business, Lemonis said:
“From my perspective, the flag’s not a problem … It has FAA clearance, and for me, this feels like an opportunity for the city to say we want to control what’s happening there.”
Lemonis also points out that these large flags have been flying for about 20 years at many of their locations without issue. He is especially surprised that such a conflict is happening in southern states like Tennessee and North Carolina, which are known for their strong patriotic culture.
This Isn’t the First Time
This is not the first time Camping World has faced legal action for flying large American flags. According to reports, there have been four other lawsuits in different parts of the country over similar issues—especially in the South.
Despite this, Lemonis and Camping World have stood firm each time, continuing to fly the oversized flags and defend their actions as patriotic and meaningful.