(The Center Square) – The Great American State Fair is scheduled to kick off in Washington D.C. in less than two weeks.
While all 50 states and six territories have been invited to the event billed as a celebration for the country’s 250th birthday, some states have declined the invitation.
NOTUS reported on June 11 that officials from Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon confirmed that they would not be sending a delegation to the fair, following the news that musical acts decided that they did not want to partake in the event. At least two states remain undecided.
As of Friday afternoon, it remains unclear if Pennsylvania will be participating in the event.
The Shapiro administration referred the Center Square to Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development, DCED, when asked if they are planning to participate in the event.
The department did not respond to a request for comment as of Friday afternoon.
DCED told Axios in a story published on June 3 that “no final decision” was made regarding Pennsylvania’s participation in the event.
“A world-class exposition and modern-day World’s Fair celebrating the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that make America the greatest nation on Earth,” is how the fair is described on its website. “Featuring more than 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories, businesses, innovators, and civic organizations, 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, and an iconic Ferris wheel on the National Mall.”
However, reporting from various outlets, including the New York Times and NOTUS, paints a different picture.
Officials from some states were concerned about the potential politicization of the event, according to NOTUS, which coincided with Trump saying on social media that he would open the fair with “the Greatest Rally, EVER!” after several music acts dropped out.
Freedom 250, which was created by the Trump administration last year, is the group planning several events this summer, including the UFC fight at the White House lawn Sunday and the fair. NOTUS reported that the Trump administration is withholding tens of millions of dollars from America 250, the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 which aims to engage, educate, and unite Americans for the 250th birthday celebration.
As America 250 is facing a $100 million shortfall, the Trump administration has “funneled at least $68 million to Freedom 250,” according to NOTUS.
The fair is scheduled to take place on the National Mall between 14th Street and 4th Street from June 25 to July 10. Each day of the fair has different programming themes.
The setup for the fair is already underway, according to the New York Times, saying that the plan is to “feature food from the 50 states and six territories, as well as military demonstrations and a 110-foot Ferris wheel.”
