Drive through almost any American town the week before Memorial Day and you'll notice it. Red, white, and blue draped across front porches. Hanging from storefront awnings. Framing the entrances of banks, barbershops, and town halls. It's everywhere, and yet most people couldn't tell you exactly what it's called or why it shows up this time of year.
It's called bunting, sometimes a pleated fan flag. And there's actually a good reason you see it when you do.
What is Patriotic Bunting
Bunting is a type of decorative patriotic display made from pleated panels of red, white, and blue fabric. It's hung horizontally across railings, windows, awnings, and storefronts but not from a flagpole. It drapes rather than flies.
The tradition of using bunting for public celebrations goes back to at least the Civil War era in the United States. Towns would decorate buildings with red, white, and blue fabric for parades, inaugurations, and civic gatherings. You've probably seen old black-and-white photos of Main Street USA draped in it from rooftop to the ground.
It's worth noting that bunting is not a flag. It doesn't carry the same symbolism or etiquette rules as the American flag. That distinction actually matters, and we'll get to that in a moment.
Why You See So Much Bunting Around Memorial Day
Memorial Day is one of the most flag-forward holidays on the calendar. Americans put out flags, attend parades, and visit cemeteries to honor the men and women who died in military service. Bunting has always been part of that visual tradition.
But there's also a practical reason it spikes around this time of year, and it comes straight from the U.S. Flag Code.
The Flag Code specifically states that the American flag should not be used as a decoration or draped across surfaces. Instead, it recommends using red, white, and blue bunting for decorative purposes.
So when businesses and homeowners want to decorate for Memorial Day without misusing the flag, bunting is the right answer. It's patriotic, it's traditional, and it's the correct way to add color to a building or railing.
As Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer, with parades, community gatherings, and warm-weather celebrations filling the calendar, bunting naturally becomes one of the most visible and widely used patriotic decorations of the season. It offers a respectful and tradition-rooted way to show national pride while staying aligned with the Flag Code, making it a staple for both homes and small business store fronts during this time of year.
Bunting vs. the American Flag - What’s the Difference?
People sometimes wonder if they need both. Here's a simple way to think about it.
The American flag is a symbol. It's flown with intention, displayed with respect, and governed by the U.S. Flag Code. If you want to show your patriotism in a meaningful and traditional way, you fly the flag.
You can browse our full collection of American made American flags or pick up a complete flag kit that includes everything you need to get started.
On the other hand, bunting is decorative. It adds color, depth, and patriotic presence to surfaces where a flag wouldn't make sense, like railings, window ledges, or storefront awnings. You don't hang bunting on a flagpole, it's meant to drape.
Used together, they create a complete patriotic display. The flag flies proudly out front, while the bunting frames the porch, entryway, or storefront. One serves as a symbol of honor, the other as decoration, but both work together to clearly show American pride.
Where to Hang Bunting
One of the reasons bunting is so popular with businesses and homeowners alike is how versatile it is. Here are the most common placements:
For Homes
Porch railings are the most popular spot. Bunting drapes naturally along a railing and holds its shape well. Second-floor balconies, window ledges, and the edges of garage doors all work too. If you've got a front-facing surface with some visible width, bunting can dress it up.
For Businesses
Storefronts shine with bunting hung across awnings or above entrances. It catches the eye of anyone walking or driving by, and it signals to customers that your business is part of the community. Government buildings, banks, real estate offices, restaurants, and retail shops all commonly use it around patriotic holidays.
Not All Bunting is Created Equal
If you've ever bought cheap patriotic bunting, the kind that arrives folded in a plastic bag, you know exactly what you're getting. Thin fabric. Printed colors that fade after one season. Stars that are stamped on rather than stitched. It looks okay from a distance, but up close it tells a different story.
Here's what separates quality bunting from the rest:
- Fabric construction: Quality bunting is made from durable nylon with individually sewn color panels, not a single piece of printed fabric. Sewn panels hold their shape, drape better, and last far longer outdoors.
- Sewn Pleating: True bunting has sewn pleats that create a full, layered drape. Cheap bunting is flat and the difference is immediately visible.
- Embroidered Stars: On premium bunting, the stars are embroidered, stitched with thread that creates a raised and textured surface that catches light. Cheaper bunting often uses printed stars that are flat and fade. Embroidered stars stay sharp season after season.
- Header and grommets: A reinforced header and brass grommets make mounting easy and secure. Without them, you’ll have to improvise and it can show.
If you're putting bunting on your home or storefront, it's worth doing it right.
A Closer Look at Elizabeth Ross Flags’ Patriotic Bunting
The 3' x 6' Elizabeth Ross Bunting with Embroidered Stars is built to the same standard as every Elizabeth Ross flag, meaning it's built to last.
Each bunting features individually sewn red, white, and blue nylon panels, double-stitched for strength and reinforced with lockstitching along the fly end. The eleven sewn pleats create a full, traditional drape that looks sharp on a porch railing or a storefront awning.
The stars measure 4.5 inches and are embroidered with extra-bright filament polyester, giving them a raised, faceted look that printed designs simply can’t replicate. A 2.5-inch reinforced header and three brass grommets make it easy to hang while ensuring long-term durability.
Proudly made in the USA with American-made materials, this bunting delivers both craftsmanship and authenticity in every detail.
Display Your Bunting Proudly This Memorial Day
Memorial Day is more than a long weekend, it’s a time to pause, remember, and honor those who gave their lives in military service. Displaying bunting is a simple, meaningful way to take part in that tradition and add a respectful visual reminder to your home, storefront, or community space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elizabeth Ross Bunting made in the USA?
Yes, the Elizabeth Ross Bunting is proudly made in the USA. Every step of production, from cutting and sewing the individual nylon panels to embroidering the stars and assembling the finished bunting, takes place in American facilities staffed by over 400 American workers. If Made in the USA matters to you, this is the real thing.
How is bunting different from an American flag, and do I need both?
Patriotic bunting and the American flag serve different purposes. The American flag is a national symbol with its own etiquette rules. It's meant to be flown from a pole with intention and respect. Bunting on the other hand is decorative, designed to drape across surfaces like railings, awnings, and window ledges where a flag wouldn't make sense. The U.S. Flag Code actually recommends using bunting for decoration instead of the flag itself. You don't need both, but using them together creates a full, impressive patriotic display.
Can I leave bunting up after Memorial Day?
Absolutely. Bunting is a great year-round patriotic display, not just a Memorial Day decoration. Many homeowners and businesses keep it up through Independence Day and beyond. The Elizabeth Ross Bunting is made from durable nylon built for outdoor conditions, so it holds up through sun and normal weather. Just bring it in during high winds over 30 mph to help extend its life.
