At least seven states have said “no” to participating in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, organized by President Donald Trump.
Officials from the gubernatorial offices of Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Illinois will not be participating in the fair, according to reports from CNN and NOTUS. The state officials declined invitations from the Trump administration to participate in and provide input on their state’s exhibits at the fair. The Washington Examiner has contacted all seven states to confirm their plans.
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Pennsylvania is still weighing whether to participate, according to the CNN report. NOTUS originally reported that officials from Maryland were also uncommitted; however, officials from Maryland confirmed to the Washington Examiner that the Free State is participating in the fair. The NOTUS report also lists Washington state as uncommitted.
Each of these states will still have exhibits in the Great American State Fair, Freedom 250 told the outlet.
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The Great American State Fair is being organized by Freedom 250 — a Trump administration, private-public initiative that is separate from the non-partisan America250 organization under congressional oversight. Freedom 250 is also helping organize the UFC fight in front of the White House this week and a “fan zone” watch party for the FIFA World Cup on the National Mall.
A spokesperson for the Oregon governor’s office told CNN that her office declined the invitation “due to both the cost of participating in the Fair and growing concerns that the event in Washington D.C. is shaping up to be a more partisan affair than originally presented.”
Spokesperson for North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Michele Walker, told the Washington Examiner that the state would not be participating.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to represent North Carolina and celebrate America’s 250th birthday, however, due to the expenditures required to participate, the state is unable to attend. Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina, including one at the State Capitol in Raleigh on July 4,” Walker said in a statement.
Though originally billed as a nonpartisan effort, the marketing from the Trump administration caused some big names to back away from the event, including many entertainers slated to perform. After their announcements, Trump declared a new slate of performers to join him for the “rally to end all rallies.” Artists expected to perform include Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio.
All 56 states and territories will still be represented at the event, with Freedom 250 telling the outlet that “whether represented by a governor’s office, a tourism board, or a beloved state company or organization, every community will be celebrated.”
Trump is headlining the June 24 kickoff event for the Great American State Fair, which will also include a word from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and performances from Greenwood and Macchio, two of the president’s favorite singers.
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“The Great American State Fair will showcase the very best of America through state pavilions, industry displays, family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, musical performances, military ensembles, spectacular flyovers, daily cultural programming, food and beverages, and an iconic Ferris wheel on the National Mall,” a press release for the event reads.
The fair will be held on the National Mall from June 24 through July 10.
