{"id":356,"date":"2026-06-11T09:41:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernhomejournals.com\/?p=356"},"modified":"2026-06-11T09:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:41:57","slug":"at-least-six-states-have-rsvpd-no-to-trumps-state-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernhomejournals.com\/?p=356","title":{"rendered":"At Least Six States Have RSVP’d \u2018No\u2019 to Trump\u2019s State Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"
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President Donald Trump\u2019s big birthday bash for America is hitting more speedbumps, as at least six states plan to sit out the Great American State Fair.<\/p>\n

Read more Top Jon Husted Senate Aide Kept Working for Ohio Lobbying Firm<\/a><\/p>\n

Days after an exodus<\/u><\/span> of musical acts, officials from Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oregon told NOTUS they won\u2019t officially send a delegation to the 16-day fair, one of the most high-profile celebrations of the nation\u2019s 250th birthday this summer.<\/p>\n

At least three other states \u2014 Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington \u2014 remain uncommitted just two weeks before the fair is scheduled to open June 25 on the National Mall.<\/p>\n

The fair is just one example of how participants involved in the 250th celebrations are stuck in a confusing battle between two organizations over the funding and ideology for the nation\u2019s birthday party.<\/p>\n

America 250, the bipartisan commission created by Congress a decade ago, has a decentralized mandate focused on educational and volunteer programming. Freedom 250, which the Trump administration created late last year, is planning massive entertainment spectacles including the fair, an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout and an IndyCar race, as well as what the White House called \u201can unprecedented gathering of tall ships\u201d in New York Harbor.<\/p>\n

Rachel Reisner, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, said ultimately \u201call 50 states and U.S. territories will be represented.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are actively finalizing the details for several states right now, and we look forward to sharing the full picture very soon \u2014 the response has been incredible and we couldn\u2019t be more energized by what\u2019s coming together,\u201d Reisner said in a statement. \u201cWhether represented by a governor\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Illinois will be represented by the Peoria Riverfront Museum, a spokesperson in the state said. Illinois does not know how or why Freedom 250 chose the Peoria museum, according to Natalie Boscia, the vice president of PR for Enjoy Illinois. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but that\u2019s the extent of what we know about this event. We don\u2019t have any further information regarding who contacted them,\u201d Boscia said. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson in North Carolina said they didn\u2019t have any information on who would staff their booth. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Oregon did not respond to follow up questions about any alternative plans for the fair.<\/p>\n

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The goals of Freedom 250 and America 250 have frequently conflicted. The Trump administration is withholding<\/u><\/span> tens of millions of dollars from America 250, which says it now faces a $100 million shortfall, and has simultaneously funneled at least $68 million to Freedom 250. Freedom 250 did not answer questions from NOTUS about which events those dollars are funding. This diversion of public funds has sparked and a watchdog , with critics accusing Freedom 250 of commercializing the historic milestone and prioritizing partisan, big-donor access.<\/p>\n

After America 250 \u201cdecided not to host large scale events,\u201d Reisner said, Freedom 250 reached out to all governors about the fair on Feb. 2.<\/p>\n

Two officials from states that plan to attend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said they were not given adequate time to prepare and are concerned about staffing their booths for 11 to 13 hours per day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a shorter turnaround time than ideal, but Freedom 250 has been working around the clock to put together events that celebrate America\u2019s huge milestone!\u201d Reisner said in a statement.<\/p>\n

States officials were also concerned about potential politicization of the event. After the musical acts dropped out, Trump announced on social media that he would instead open the fair with \u201cthe Greatest Rally, EVER!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea that a president\u2019s presence at America\u2019s 250th birthday is somehow a political act is not a serious argument \u2014 and frankly, it is not serious journalism to treat it as one,\u201d Reisner said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Read more Reconciliation Three Point No<\/a><\/p>\n

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, hinted at the cracks between states and the federal government last week.<\/p>\n

When a local radio host asked<\/u><\/span> if Trump would be welcome at the state\u2019s 250th celebrations, Healey shot back: \u201cHe\u2019s too busy with his Great American State Fair down there that everybody\u2019s bailing on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis guy finds a way to try to get money into his own pocket any which way,\u201d she continued. \u201cGreat American Fair \u2014 he invited all the states to participate and wants to charge us \u2014 charge us! \u2014 to put something on his exhibit, whatever he\u2019s creating for Freedom 250. It\u2019s just ridiculous. This is taxpayer money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFreedom 250 is not charging states to participate,\u201d Reisner said.<\/p>\n

Healey\u2019s office did not respond to a request to clarify her comments.<\/p>\n

Most state officials were tight-lipped about their deliberations over whether to attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not the hill we want to die on,\u201d one official said on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.<\/p>\n

North Carolina \u2014 so far the only state skipping the fair that went for Trump in 2024 \u2014 would have to spend at least $100,000 to prepare the exhibition space and arrange staff travel and accommodations for 16 days, according to Michele Walker, the assistant communications director for the state\u2019s natural and cultural resources department.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided early in the process that we do not have the capacity to participate,\u201d Walker wrote in an email, adding that \u201cour limited resources\u202fare focused\u202fon America 250 events across North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many participating states described plans for their roughly 600-square-foot booths in sweeping generalities, saying their engaging, interactive experiences would highlight qualities that made their states stand out.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Florida might bring an airboat. West Virginia has a \u201cCountry Roads-themed booth in the works.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile details on Texas\u2019 pavilion and exhibits are still being finalized, visitors can expect a dynamic showcase highlighting why Texas is both a premier travel destination and a national leader in opportunity, innovation, and freedom,\u201d Andrew Mahaleris, Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s press secretary, said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Indiana will have mini golf. New York will have a sculpture of the \u201cI LOVE NY\u201d logo. Nevada will invite guests to stand under the \u201cWelcome to Fabulous Las Vegas\u201d sign. South Carolina will have a putting green, postcards and cornhole. Oklahoma will create \u201ca prairie-inspired air flow\u201d to mimic the wind sweeping the plains (no tumbleweeds, though). South Dakota will tell the story of Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex and offer virtual-reality pheasant hunting.<\/p>\n

The most detailed plans came from Wyoming, which described its theme as \u201cThe Way America Used to Be.\u201d The booth is slated to include a virtual-reality rodeo, ranching and farming exhibits, and \u201chands-on Western heritage experiences, including learning how to rope cattle, shape cowboy hats, spin wool, and brand leather.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur pavilion will also be an immersive Western experience with our representatives in Western Americana attire, which, while it might stand out a bit in D.C., is authentically how many of us dress in Wyoming,\u201d Courtny Hinds, the general manager of the Wyoming State Fair, wrote in an email. \u201cWe want visitors to walk away with a greater appreciation for the values, traditions, landscapes, industries, and people that continue to define our state today, and to want to plan a visit to Wyoming!\u201d<\/p>\n

Amy Blackburn, the executive director of Oklahoma\u2019s department of tourism and recreation, said the fair offers overlooked states like hers an opportunity to tell the public a new story about all it has to offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are kind of overcoming a stigma,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of people still think of us as \u2018Grapes of Wrath\u2019 and dust bowl \u2014 and that is not the Oklahoma that you\u2019ll experience today. We are lively, bold and an incredibly welcoming and friendly state.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Affected By Pests\u2019: Trump\u2019s Chicago Hotel Restaurants Failed Health Inspections<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just really excited to be part of the Great American State Fair.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some states say the Freedom 250 birthday bash is too expensive, too rushed and too politicized.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":355,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-donald-trump"],"yoast_head":"\nAt Least Six States Have RSVP'd \u2018No\u2019 to Trump\u2019s State Fair - Modern Home Journals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/modernhomejournals.com\/?p=356\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"At Least Six States Have RSVP'd \u2018No\u2019 to Trump\u2019s State Fair - Modern Home Journals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Some states say the Freedom 250 birthday bash is too expensive, too rushed and too politicized.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/modernhomejournals.com\/?p=356\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Modern Home Journals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-11T09:41:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/533de239efc09a2ab59959cc1bff86d0\"},\"headline\":\"At Least Six States Have RSVP’d \u2018No\u2019 to Trump\u2019s State Fair\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-11T09:41:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356\"},\"wordCount\":1327,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/8cd613e23d64384c0e27815e83e48f50-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Donald Trump\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/modernhomejournals.com\\\/?p=356\",\"name\":\"At Least Six States Have RSVP'd \u2018No\u2019 to Trump\u2019s State Fair - 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