states pull – A growing list of states says it will not participate in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, a 16-day festival organized by President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 group marking the nation’s 250th anniversary—amid concerns about cost, partisanship
On the National Mall, the Great American State Fair is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10. But for a number of states, the decision has already been made: they won’t be sending delegations or taking part in the pavilion-style festivities.
Freedom 250 has marketed the event as a massive, all-state celebration—designed to include attractions, performances and exhibits from all 50 U.S. states and six territories. Yet officials in multiple states have said they will not be directly participating, reported by CNN and NOTUS.
Rachel Reisner, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, said that all 50 states and U.S. territories will be represented in the festivities. “Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan organization, full stop — and our track record of collaboration across red, blue, and purple states speaks for itself,” Reisner said.
The pullback comes as the broader Freedom 250-backed concert plans have already unraveled. In recent weeks, musicians slated to perform backed out, with several citing the event’s perceived political affiliation. Trump then announced the concerts had been replaced with a rally on June 24 with a different headliner: himself. Musicians Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio will also perform.
Massachusetts, North Carolina, and others confirm they are out
Freedom 250 previously said each of the 50 states and six territories would design pavilions with interactive experiences highlighting their unique characteristics and contributions. Officials in the following states confirmed they will not be participating in the event: Massachusetts and North Carolina.
NOTUS reported that Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Oregon will also not be sending a delegation. It also reported that Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington are currently uncommitted.
CNN similarly reported that Oregon and Washington have declined an invitation to the event, while Pennsylvania has not yet decided.
For many officials, the reason is financial—and for some, it’s political
North Carolina’s explanation was blunt: cost.
Michele Walker. assistant communications director for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. said in a statement the state is not attending “due to the expenditures required to participate.” Walker added that “Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina. including one at the State Capitol in Raleigh on July 4.”.
In Oregon, officials pointed to both cost and concerns about the event’s tone.
Luke Harkin, a spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, cited both cost and concerns that the event is “a more partisan affair than originally presented” in a statement to CNN. USA TODAY has reached out to Harkin.
Massachusetts did not comment publicly on the reason for not participating, but Gov. Maura Healey said in a June 2 interview on GBH News that Trump’s administration “wants to charge us” for the event.
What the Great American State Fair is supposed to be
The Great American State Fair is described as a 16-day festival being put on by Freedom 250 as one of many events marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Organizers say it will be a World’s Fair-style event with attractions including rodeo events, livestock competitions and a massive Ferris wheel.
Freedom 250’s calendar is not limited to the National Mall fair. It is also organizing a UFC fight on the White House lawn on June 14. coinciding with Trump’s birthday. and an athletic competition for high school students. The group also held a prayer event on the National Mall in April called Rededicate 250.
The group behind it sits outside the official 250th commission
Freedom 250 is separate from America250, a bipartisan commission established by Congress to organize celebrations for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Trump formed Freedom 250 under Task Force 250, a group consisting of members of his Cabinet to plan events outside of those run by the official America250 commission.
With the fair approaching. the story unfolding is not just about which attractions remain—it’s about whether states feel the cost and politics of association outweigh the platform. The event is still scheduled for the National Mall. but the gap between Freedom 250’s promise of universal representation and the states’ publicly stated refusals has already begun to reshape the atmosphere around the celebrations.
Great American State Fair Freedom 250 National Mall Trump nonprofit states pull out North Carolina Oregon Massachusetts pavilion delegations America250 commission political affiliation costs