Oregon, Washington, – Oregon, Washington and North Carolina declined invitations to participate in President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall opening June 25, citing costs—while Oregon also warned the event is becoming more partisan. Freedom 250 says al
On June 25, the National Mall is set to open the “Great American State Fair”—a celebration President Donald Trump has framed as a patriotic, state-by-state “World’s Fair” featuring pavilions created by every U.S. state and territory.
But for some governors, the invitation didn’t make it to the state capitol’s calendar. Oregon, Washington and North Carolina have declined to participate, leaving a key promise in question just as preparations move into full view.
Officials from all three states said costs were the deciding factor. Oregon’s spokesperson also pointed to something else—concern that the event is shifting toward partisanship.
“The State of Oregon will not be participating in the Great American State Fair due to both the cost of participating in the Fair and growing concerns that the event in Washington D.C. is shaping up to be a more partisan affair than originally presented,” Luke Harkin, a spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, said.
The fair is scheduled to open June 25 and last about two weeks.
Freedom 250. the Trump-aligned nonprofit putting the fair together. says the absence of direct state government participation won’t erase every state’s presence. Even if some states don’t provide input. the group says all 50 states and territories will still be represented through other organizations. and details are “actively finalized.”.
“What we can say is that every state’s story will be told in a way that’s authentic to its people. history. and culture. ” a Freedom 250 spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that “whether represented by a governor’s office. a tourism board. or a beloved state company or organization. every community will be celebrated.”.
Freedom 250’s broader pitch is that Trump’s 250th-year celebrations are designed to be bigger than any one political dispute. The group also shared with CNN renderings of state pavilions it says 21 states have already proposed. including plans like a mini-golf course for South Carolina. a replica of the Alamo for Texas. and a fossil digging station for Montana.
Still, the disputes are unfolding as Trump’s cultural agenda is drawing increasing scrutiny. The fair earlier this month was forced to jettison an opening concert after artists who were due to perform withdrew. Democrats have also criticized another Trump 250th event this week: the Ultimate Fighting Championship fight held in honor of the 250th at the White House. saying the government should focus more on lowering costs.
Within the fair itself. Freedom 250 is building toward an experience it says will look like a grand civic showcase: from June 25 through July 10. large white tents decorated with neo-classical columns will house dozens of state pavilions. Plans include a scaled-down replica of Trump’s proposed 250-foot “triumphal arch” and an enormous 110-foot Ferris wheel. Freedom 250 has also said there will be movie screenings, musical performances and military flyovers.
The renderings submitted to Freedom 250 are meant to reflect state histories and heritage. Arizona’s pavilion, for instance, is described as including an immersive reproduction of wave-like sandstone walls found at Antelope Canyon. In Michigan, visitors are to see a mechanical milking cow. In Minnesota. visitors are expected to win prizes by selecting from a pond full of miniature versions of the North Star State’s official bird. the Common Loon.
At Wyoming’s pavilion, visitors can try rodeo through augmented reality headsets. Courtny Hinds. general manager of the Wyoming State Fair and Wyoming’s State Pavilion Lead. described the fair as a once-in-a-lifetime event and said she was excited to attend. “Every single state kind of has their own pieces of their identity. so whoever our neighbors will be. we’re excited to make friends with them and the rest of states and territories too. ” Hinds said.
But what states are being asked to pay for appears to be a central fault line.
A person familiar with planning said Freedom 250 paid for the build out of each booth and pavilion, while participating states were tasked with funding the decorations for their tents.
A spokesperson for the group responsible for North Carolina’s 250 planning said the state was invited but could not attend because of the expenditures required. “Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina,” the spokesperson said.
Oregon’s decision drew a sharper edge. Oregon officials cited cost as “a big concern.” A state official told Freedom 250 in an email obtained by CNN that “We have determined Oregon cannot participate in the fair.” The official said that a $70. 000 shipping cost was “substantially” higher than what the state had anticipated.
The states that have declined to participate are all led by Democratic governors.
Even as Freedom 250 insists the fair’s displays are nonpartisan, the program surrounding the event has leaned heavily on Trump.
The fair is being kicked off with a rally by the president himself. The decision to hold what Trump described as “A Rally to end all Rallies!” came last week after musicians pulled out of a performance that was originally planned. On Truth Social. Trump wrote: “We don’t want singers with no talent. but big fees to put you to sleep. we’ve told them all to stay home. ” adding. “All we want is you. me. a few speakers. and the Greatest Music ever played. the same Music you have listened to for years!”.
In a statement to CNN. Freedom 250 defended Trump’s prominent place in the 250th celebrations and said presidents have long played a role at commemorations of the nation’s founding—citing Ulysses S. Grant at the Centennial in 1876 and Gerald Ford at the Bicentennial in 1976. “We proudly welcome President Trump. who has shown genuine enthusiasm for celebrating America and its patriotic traditions. just as we would have welcomed any sitting president. ” said Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner.
Critics, however, argue the celebrations depart from past national celebrations that did not feature such overt political overtones. Watchdog groups have raised alarm about the lack of transparency around Freedom 250.
Freedom 250 is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Park Foundation and, as such, does not have to disclose its donors.
Legal fights over Trump’s 250th agenda are also still in motion. Two Virginia residents have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the UFC fight at the White House. Justice Department lawyers told a federal judge Tuesday that the suit was brought too late to justify judicial intervention. They argued that blocking the event—set to take place this coming weekend—would upend months of careful planning and unfairly burden a host of parties. including the president. thousands of spectators. and more than a dozen athletes. The administration is still awaiting a ruling in the suit.
Tim Whitehouse. the executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). told CNN that Trump’s “partisan events” are “not what the American people deserve on their 250th birthday.” PEER has sued the Trump administration over its refusal to release key documents related to Freedom 250 that the group is seeking under the Freedom of Information Act. On Tuesday, a federal judge ordered the administration to respond to the group’s complaint on or before June 26.
“It’s not to say that a Great American Fair or UFC fight or a car race as part of our 250th celebrations isn’t appropriate,” Whitehouse said. “It’s the way they’re being handled and managed in a sort of a corrupt, non-transparent way.”
For now, the fair’s promise of every state and territory being represented will continue to rely on Freedom 250’s commitment to fill gaps through non-government partners—even as Oregon, Washington and North Carolina step back from participating directly.
Pennsylvania has yet to decide whether it will participate. Still. Oregon’s objection makes the timing feel sharper: as large white tents and planned set pieces are finalized for a June 25 opening. a $70. 000 shipping figure and concerns about the event’s political tone have already pushed at least some states out the door.
Great American State Fair Freedom 250 Trump Oregon Washington North Carolina National Mall June 25 Tina Kotek Luke Harkin costs partisan concerns