Derek Auclair is always ready for the Fourth of July.

Auclair, 52, is general manager of the Gorham Flag Center, which has been family-owned since the 1960s. The business on Route 25 is easy to spot because several giant American flags hang outside on 20- to 30-foot-tall flagpoles. In addition to American flags, the business also sells state, national, military and historical flags.

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, Auclair took the time to answer questions about flag etiquette, durability and the busiest times of the year for flag sales.

How busy is the store in the days or weeks leading up to July 4th?

Honestly, our sales are much higher before Memorial Day. It's mostly because of the timing. Memorial Day is kind of the beginning of summer. So the third week of May is when the weather starts to get nicer and people start to think they need a new flag. Then by the time July 4th comes around, the people who wanted a new flag already have one. But we also sell a lot of flags to businesses, and it's not dependent on the time of year.

What type of companies do you sell to?

Cities, schools, Bath Iron Works, Cianbro, Idexx, property management companies. We did that at Yankee Ford (in South Portland). They have an 80-foot pole and a flag that's 20 by 38 feet. We had the same setup here, but right now I'm having problems with that pole and it's too dangerous to hang the flag.

The Gorham Flag Center on Route 25 in Gorham is hard to miss. Photo courtesy of Gorham Flag Center

What are your flags made of?

All of our flags are made in America with sewn-on stripes and embroidered stars. The most common material is nylon, but we also have polyester, which is heavier and can withstand stronger winds. Usually, though, people don't want to look out and see their flag waving, they want to see it waving. The lighter the material, like nylon, the better. However, if you live by the ocean and have a lot of wind, the heavier flag may be better for you.

Do you often get questions about flag etiquette, the correct and incorrect ways to care for and display an American flag?

Flag etiquette is usually one of those things that people care less about over time. But lately, it seems to be going in the opposite direction. I get asked a lot about the right way to do something. And a lot fewer people seem shocked when I tell them the right way to dispose of a flag is to burn it. Maybe 60 percent of people used to be shocked to hear that, but now it's a lot less. A lot of people don't know where to take them (to burn), but we bring them here.

What other rules apply to displaying a flag?

It must not touch the ground. When you take it down (from a flagpole) you must be careful. It must also not be displayed if it is torn or damaged in any way. I have heard from some companies that they get called as soon as a thread is missing from the flag.

For more information on American flag rules, see the United States Flag Code at legion.org.

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