West

Camping World's massive US flag praised by former boxer on California board that greenlit display

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2024

Press Room

Camping World's massive US flag praised by former boxer on California board that greenlit display

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A California official is praising Camping World for its towering U.S. flag display in French Camp after tensions over permitting issues, calling the public standoff “great marketing” as he pushes his county to go honor Americans who became prisoners of war or missing in action.

“We welcome their business and the flag,” Tom Patti, a member of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, told Fox News Digital. “From the very beginning, we would’ve preferred they followed a traditional protocol of getting a permit.”

After more than a year of back and forth over permitting requirements, he said the county has received documentation from Camping World and approved the company’s plans. The flag is already flying above the sprawling lot once more.

RV RETAILER CAMPING WORLD DEFIES CALIFORNIA COUNTY ORDER TO TAKE DOWN GIANT AMERICAN FLAG

A giant U.S. flag flies atop a 130-foot-tall flag pole outside RV retailer Camping Worlds French Camp, California location after a showdown with local authorities over permitting rules. Joaquin County officials granted Camping World a permit for the towering pole Thursday.

“These guys go forward, they put big flag poles into the ground, but they don’t go for advanced permitting in any capacity,” he said. If it becomes an issue, the company winds up getting massive public support – and potential new customers.

Patti, a former boxer who trained with Mike Tyson, said a number of voters, many of them veterans, approached him to defend the flag. He too had supported the flag and separately pushed for the county to commemorate Flag Day with the POW/MIA flag alongside the American Flag above its headquarters.

“We’ll have to assume that it was either a fantastic marketing opportunity, or they didn’t do the research that a permit would be required,” Patti said. “Once we got the info we requested, we issued a permit, and it’s a done deal for us.”

A Google Maps image from December 2023 shows the 130-foot flag pole at the Camping World lot in French Camp, California, without its accompanying U.S. Flag. (Google)

Patti, who previously had a career in the installation of large commercial signs, said he didn’t believe that Camping World would risk installing an unsafe base. The retailer has similar large flags at many of its 250 locations around the country.

“I’m certain that Camping World is not looking for lawsuits in the future,” he said. “We are taking their word for it.”

County zoning rules were meant to address concerns about the depth and width of the pole’s underground base to ensure it wouldn’t be at risk of toppling over, he said. The county had requested a site plan back in June 2023 and received it roughly a year later, he said. The numbers checked out, and the country granted a permit this week.

CAMPING WORLD CEO: ‘I’D RATHER GO TO JAIL’ THAN YIELD TO CITY IN AMERICAN FLAG CONTROVERSY

A giant U.S. flag flies atop a 130-foot-tall flag pole outside RV retailer Camping World’s French Camp, California location after a showdown with local authorities over permitting rules. Joaquin County officials granted Camping World a permit for the towering pole Thursday.

The county requires permits for structures above 30 feet tall. Camping World’s flag pole stretched 130 feet skyward.

San Joaquin officials have denied claims that they ordered the retailer to take down the flag or issued any citations.

The county requested site plans and engineering drawings in June 2023 after the flag went up before the retailer got a permit, according to county officials. Partial plans were turned over in December and the full documents arrived in June 2024.

In a statement, the county said some of its employees had been harassed and threatened over the standoff and asked for people to show “common decency and courtesy.”

“We want to express our appreciation for your patriotism. We fully support the display of our flag and welcome local businesses, especially those that share our patriotic spirit,” the county wrote in a letter to concerned residents. “However, we do require adherence to the permitting process to ensure safety and proper access for everyone.”

Marcus Lemonis, chairman and chief executive officer of Camping World Holdings Inc., speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. For years, Lemonis has defended massive American flags at Camping World lots, sometimes in defiance of local ordinances. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis had the flag raised on Monday, days before the permit came through.

Lemonis, who immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon, is a staunch defender of the flag and has been involved in similar standoffs with local authorities around the country. He told Fox News as far back as 2019 that he’d rather get locked up than shrink the scale of his patriotic displays.

“When veterans show up at the stores for the flag-raisings, and when they come on Saturdays and do their veteran rides, and they weep at the bottom of the flag pole, that’s the conviction that I need to say it’s just not going to come down,” he said. “I would rather go to jail.”

Lemonis could not immediately be reached for comment on the French Camp permit.

Fox News’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report.

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San Francisco, CA

Jury deadlocked on 2 counts for Golden Gate Bridge pro-Palestinian protesters

Published

39 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Jury deadlocked on 2 counts for Golden Gate Bridge pro-Palestinian protesters

A jury in San Francisco returned to a packed courtroom Thursday morning to tell a judge that it was deadlocked on two counts in the case against seven pro-Palestinian protesters who shut down traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024 to denounce U.S. aid to Israel in the Israel-Hamas war.

The jury indicated that it could likely reach a decision on one of the deadlocked counts, but the other it could not. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Teresa Caffese asked the jury to resume deliberations on one of the two deadlocked counts.

“Why don’t I send you back, and then we’ll go from there,” Caffese said.

Six of the protesters who chained themselves together on vehicles on the bridge and a protester who was designated to communicate with authorities are each facing eight to nine charges of felony conspiracy and false imprisonment.

The seven defendants sat in the courtroom with anticipation for a verdict, wearing keffiyehs around their necks. Dozens of their supporters packed the courtroom to the brim.

The jury reached unanimous decisions on the rest of the counts. It did not indicate which two counts it was deadlocked on.

Supporters of the seven protesters said that a verdict on the rest of the counts is expected to be read out sometime Thursday.

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Denver, CO

Where to Celebrate the 4th of July in Denver This Weekend – 303 Magazine

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Where to Celebrate the 4th of July in Denver This Weekend – 303 Magazine

The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the summer, and Denver is delivering a packed lineup of events for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re looking to watch fireworks light up the Colorado sky, catch a live concert at Red Rocks, enjoy rooftop parties, indulge in seasonal food and drinks or explore the city’s thriving arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.

Here’s your guide to the best music, food, fireworks, nightlife, arts, and cultural events happening across Denver this Fourth of July weekend.

Follow @303magazine on Instagram

Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver

Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide

FASHION EVENTS

Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Model Workshop

When: July 26, 1:00 p.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $40+
The Lowdown:

Whether you’re stepping onto a runway for the first time or looking to refine your walk before auditions, the workshop offers hands-on training designed to help participants feel confident, polished and prepared.

Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Second Model Auditions

When: Aug 9, 11:00 a.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $10+
The Lowdown:

Following overwhelming demand from aspiring models across Colorado, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) has announced a second round of model auditions for its upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 runway season.

MUSIC EVENTS

Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide

Gillian Grogan and EMMA ROSE

When: July 2, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Skylark Lounge – 140 S. Broadway
Cost: $18+
The Lowdown:

Zeds Dead with Sippy, Baauer, Holly, HYDRAULIX & LUMBERJVCK

When: July 3, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $205+
The Lowdown:

Flobots

When: July 4, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver – 1380 W Florida Ave
Cost: $0+
The Lowdown:

Don Toliver with SahBabii, SoFaygo, Chase B

When: July5, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ball Arena – 1000 Chopper Cir
Cost: $105+
The Lowdown:

FOOD EVENTS

Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver

Dumpling Love: Dim Sum Party

When: July 3, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Stir Cooking School Highlands – 3215 Zuni St.
Cost: $120 per person
The Lowdown:

Join the dumpling party and learn how to make pork bao buns, shrimp shumai, pan-fried gyoza, and crab cheese rangoons. All classes include a full bar with beer, wine, and house-curated cocktails for purchase.

Stars, Stripes, and Deck Nights

When: July 3, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – 1999 Chestnut Pl.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Celebrate America’s 250th with our festive Bomb Pop Drinks, featuring real Bomb Pops and High Noon buckets!

4th of July Rooftop Fiesta at Cimera

When: July 4, 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Source Hotel – 3330 Brighton Blvd.
Cost: $60+
The Lowdown:

The experience is an open rooftop gathering featuring live-fire cooking, craft cocktails, and skyline views throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy Peruvian street skewers, duck & chorizo paella, and ceviche prepared live on-site.

Farmers Market Central Park

When: July 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Central Park – 29th Ave & Roslyn
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!

LIFESTYLE EVENTS

Mystic Magnolias; A Southern Gothic Cabaret

When: July 2, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Colorado Sake Co – 3559 Larimer St
Cost: $25+
The Lowdown:

Saunter yourself out to The Mystic Magnolias, a Burlesque AND Drag Show with chilling charm and dripping in Southern Gothic atmosphere.

America 250 | Colorado 150 Drone Show presented by Visit Denver

When: July 3, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Where: DPAC/Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Following Sunset Cinema’s showing of National Treasure on July 3rd at Sculpture Park, stay to enjoy the 4th of July Drone Show! This special event will be brought to you by Visit Denver, celebrating American 250 | Colorado 150, including an appearance by Mayor Mike Johnston.

Beat The Bomb Summer Mission: America250 Edition

When: July 4, 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Beat The Bomb – 3863 Steele St, Unit 1273
Cost: $39+
The Lowdown:

Beat The Bomb announces the limited-time-only Summer Mission: America250 Edition – celebrating America’s 250th with five new games, a collectible beach towel, and a red, white, and blue Paint Blast!

Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band (Cheesman Park)

When: July 5, 7 :00 – 8:15 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park – 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Price:Free

Join the Denver Municipal Band’s Concert Band for an Independence Day concert at Cheesman Park Pavilion with special guest Denver District 10 City Councilmember Chris Hinds narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.

Follow @303magazine on Instagram

Whether you’re dancing at a concert, enjoying a garden dinner, cheering on your favorite soccer team or exploring a new exhibition, Denver offers plenty of ways to fill your 4th of July weekend calendar. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and discover something new around the city.