Democratic-led states balk at 'Great American State Fair' [View all]

Source: The Hill

06/22/26 6:00 AM ET


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 for not attending. Maine’s tourism office told a local ABC News station it declined the invitation because of 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.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5931586-states-decline-great-american-state-fair/