Several States Cite Cost in Skipping Official Role at Freedom 250 Great American State Fair

Several states will not send official, state-funded delegations to the Great American State Fair, the 16-day celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary that opens Thursday on the National Mall. The states that explained the decision to The Epoch Times pointed to cost.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, the nonprofit organizing the fair, said there was no required fee to take part, that all 50 governors were invited, and that all 50 states and six U.S. territories will be represented and have booths—with many governments routing their participation through partners such as tourism boards, cultural foundations, and companies. 

“Every community will be celebrated,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times, and “every American will see themselves” at the event.

Four states told The Epoch Times they would not send an official delegation: Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. All four have Democratic governors, but each tied the decision to cost rather than opposition to the event. In each case, a private partner is stepping in so the state is still represented.

Maine described its decision in the most detail. The Maine Semiquincentennial Commission voted unanimously not to take part, said its director, Sarah Hansen. 

She said the commission estimated the cost at $500,000 or more, with no federal funding offered, and cited a late invitation and lack of communication from organizers. While participating in the event required no fee, states were responsible for building and staffing their own exhibits, according to Freedom 250.

Hansen noted the fair is being run by Freedom 250, the nonprofit working with the White House’s Task Force 250, rather than the congressionally established America 250 Commission.

North Carolina pointed to its budget. The state’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources estimated that taking part would cost at least $100,000 and told organizers on April 6 that it could not attend, said Michele Walker, the department’s assistant communications director. 

She said North Carolina is the only state operating without a comprehensive budget, because its legislature has not passed one in more than 1,000 days, and the department received no state money for its 250th events. A spokesperson for Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, said he was glad two North Carolina companies would represent the state and was proud to honor its “First in Freedom” legacy.

Illinois and the Pritzker administration “are not sending representatives” to Washington, the governor’s office said. The Peoria Riverfront Museum volunteered to represent the state with a pavilion built around an “Illinois Voices 250” hologram of greetings from more than 50 residents, said Jayette Bolinski, communications director for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. No state funds were used to pay for the museum’s travel, registration, or exhibit, she said.

Massachusetts confirmed it is not taking part, the governor’s office said, adding that it determined state resources would have the greatest impact at home. The office pointed to its MA250 initiative, Tall Ships, expanded July 4 celebrations, and World Cup events this summer.

The decisions by Illinois and North Carolina track with what Freedom 250 described as state governments in a few cases stepping back, and private partners stepping in. Freedom 250 said two companies, Spevco and Richard Childress Racing, would represent North Carolina.

Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington were also identified by NPR as not participating directly, with most citing cost and some raising political concerns, according to NPR. The governors’ offices of those states did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Epoch Times.

Questions about the event’s tone have also surfaced elsewhere. Several musical acts booked for the fair’s concert series withdrew, with several citing perceived partisanship and security concerns. President Donald Trump separately called for scrapping the concerts in favor of a “Make America Great Again Rally,” and Freedom 250 has said the president will open the event on June 24.

Trump has promoted the fair as a centerpiece of the 250th celebrations. Freedom 250 said each state receives about 600 square feet to build an exhibit, and that the fair runs June 25 through July 10, stretching along the National Mall from the Capitol to the Washington Monument.