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A grand state fair highlighting American culture is set to kick off on the National Mall this week ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary, but several states have publicly said they will not attend the event.
At least seven states led by Democratic governors have opted not to send official representatives to the “Great American State Fair,” with some raising concerns that the event is shaping up to be more partisan than it has been billed.
The 16 days of festivities on the National Mall kick off Thursday, and each day will center on a different facet of American history.
Massachusetts, 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.
Illinois’s Peoria Riverfront Museum volunteered to showcase the state’s history at the fair, and their exhibit will include an “Illinois Voices 250” hologram that features stories from state residents. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources noted that no state funds were used for this showcase.
North Carolina will be represented by vehicle company Spveco and NASCAR team Richard Childress Racing.
A spokesperson for North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) said that the governor is “looking forward” to the Independence Day festivities being held across the country.
“He is glad that our state will be represented at the fair by two North Carolina companies,” the spokesperson said. “Two hundred and fifty years ago, North Carolina led the way to American independence, and Governor Stein is pleased to honor our state’s First in Freedom legacy.”
Nearly all of the state governments that are not directly participating in this event said that their decision was largely driven by cost considerations.
Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck (D), who chairs the state’s semiquincentennial committee, said in a statement that the state is “facing a very difficult fiscal situation.”
“Given the significant costs associated with participating in the Great American State Fair, we chose to focus on supporting local efforts here in Washington state for this very important commemoration,” he said.
Oregon spokesperson Luke Harkins similarly cited participation costs, in addition to “growing concerns that the event in Washington, D.C., is shaping up to be a more partisan affair than originally presented” in a statement to CNN last week, in addition to participation costs.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) did not mince words when asked by a listener during an appearance several weeks ago on Boston Public Radio about whether she would welcome President Trump to anniversary celebrations in the state.
“He’s too busy with his Great American State Fair down there that everybody’s bailing on,” Healey replied.
The Democratic state official accused the president of using the fair to “get money into his own pocket.”
“He invited all of the states to participate and wants to charge us — charge us — to go down and put something on his exhibit, whatever he’s creating for Freedom 250,” she said. “It’s just ridiculous.”
A spokesperson for Freedom 250 denied that there was a cost requirement for state participation and said each state has been allotted a place on the National Mall.
Several Democrat-led states, including California, Colorado and New York, have confirmed they will be present at the fair. New York’s official tourism campaign, “I LOVE NY,” has organized an activation that includes opportunities to win branded prizes.
Colorado’s exhibit will feature the state’s natural attractions, including real coniferous trees, a ski lift and a feature inspired by Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
“Our State looks forward to showcasing Colorado at the Great American State Fair with an engaging, interactive experience giving visitors a taste of Colorado’s outdoors,” spokesperson Eric Maruyama said.
The Trump administration commissioned Freedom 250, which planned a series of events to mark the semiquincentennial. It is notably separate from America 250, a bipartisan initiative established by Congress in 2016 to plan celebrations for this anniversary year.
The congressional commission’s plans include a block party, a “Giving 4th” fundraiser and time capsules.
Freedom 250 has repeatedly stressed that its work is not partisan, and event organizers told The Hill that every state and territory received invites to participate in the fair.
“Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan organization, full stop — and our track record of collaboration across red, blue, and purple states speaks for itself,” Reisner said.
However, the planning committee’s work has been overshadowed at times by President Trump’s involvement in the celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary. The president recently announced that he would host a rally ahead of the annual July 4 fireworks show on the National Mall this year.
“On July 4th, at The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, in beautiful and safe Washington D.C., we are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a ‘TRIBUTE TO AMERICA,’” the president announced in a Truth Social post. “Starting at 7 P.M. EST, this HUGE Celebration will honor our Country’s People, Spirit, Strength, Resolve, and Triumphs.”
Additionally, several artists set to perform at the state fair dropped out after the lineup went public, with many claiming they were not aware of the event’s associations with the White House.
A broader partisan split over July 4th celebrations informs the division over these planned celebrations in D.C.
A recent Gallup poll found that 88 percent of Republicans said they intended to mark the anniversary, compared to 60 percent of independents and 54 percent of Democrats. Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found that 35 percent of Democrats did not consider themselves “proud Americans” ahead of the country’s 250th.
The fair will open next Thursday on the mall between the U.S. Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial. The event is free and open to the public.
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