If President Donald Trump’s critics want to take shots at the UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn, that’s one thing. But it would seem to require a different level of Trump Derangement Syndrome for Democrat governors to skip an opportunity to highlight their own states in a celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
So far, a total of seven blue states won’t be officially participating in the “Great American Fair,” which has been billed as a non-political way for every state to showcase what they add to the patchwork of America.
Here’s what The Hill reported:
The 16 days of festivities on the National Mall kick off Thursday, and each day will center on a different facet of American history.
ADVERTISEMENTMassachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, Illinois, Oregon and Connecticut all cited budget constraints in their reasons not to attend. Maine’s tourism office told a local ABC News station it declined the invitation due to scheduling demands during a “busy summer season.”
Additionally, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania’s tourism board told The Hill on Wednesday that the state is still making a determination about whether it will participate.
The fair’s organizer, Freedom 250, said that all 50 states and U.S. territories will be represented, regardless of direct involvement from state governments.
“Whether represented by a governor’s office, a tourism board, or a beloved state company or organization, every community will be celebrated, and every American will see themselves in this once-in-a-generation event,” spokesperson Rachel Reisner said.
Meanwhile, social media promotion for the event is attracting significant excitement:
The Freedom 250 ferris wheel is coming together on the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. For 16 days, you can take in the view from the top, walk the state pavilions, and experience the best of America at the Great American State Fair.
RSVP for… pic.twitter.com/iS2D3Fi91s
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) June 21, 2026
Let’s go America!
— Freedom in America! (@FreedomAmerica) June 21, 2026
Love this! It's good to see us back
— CynthiaLElliott (@CynthiaLElliott) June 22, 2026
Sounds like a solid event, mate. Would love to catch that B-2 flyover live
— Macro Bombastic (@MacroBombastic) June 21, 2026
Here’s some additional coverage of the plans, via Axios:
Corn dogs, competitive eating and “Make America Healthy Again” wellness are coming to the National Mall this week for the Great American State Fair.
Why it matters: The menu offers one of the clearest looks yet at what Freedom 250 organizers are planning for the Great American State Fair: part nostalgia, part America 250th celebration and part showcase for the MAHA movement.
Driving the news: Yes, there will be stick meat. There will also be seminars on “food as medicine.”
The food lineup at the World’s Fair-inspired exhibition is an unusual mashup of classic Americana and MAHA wellness that Freedom 250 is billing “a once-in-a-generation culinary snapshot of the nation.”
And here’s some more context:
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