State officials across the United States are declining invitations to participate in the "Great American State Fair," a 16-day exhibition scheduled for the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Governors from at least eight states have cited budget constraints and concerns regarding the event’s partisan nature as primary reasons for their withdrawal from the federal initiative.
Why are states opting out of the fair?
Financial obligations and logistical burdens are the leading factors cited by state governments. According to a report by USA Today, the federal government requested that states fund their own participation, including the costs associated with staffing and maintaining multiweek exhibits on the National Mall.
For many states, this financial requirement conflicts with existing plans for local celebrations. Michele Walker, communications director for North Carolina, stated in an email to NOTUS that the state could not justify the $100,000 expense required to mount an exhibition, noting that resources are instead being directed toward events within North Carolina. Similarly, the office of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek informed KATU News that the decision to withdraw was driven by the high cost and growing concerns that the D.C.-based event is becoming a "partisan affair."
Which states have confirmed they will not participate?
As of mid-2026, at least eight states have formally declined or confirmed they will not send a state-sponsored delegation to the National Mall:
- Massachusetts: Gov. Maura Healey’s office confirmed the state’s absence, with the Governor publicly criticizing the federal expectation that states pay for their own exhibits.
- Oregon: Cited both budgetary concerns and the perceived partisan shift of the event.
- North Carolina: Stated it lacked the capacity and resources, prioritizing in-state commemorations.
- Connecticut: Officials cited the financial burden of staffing a multiweek federal exhibition.
- Pennsylvania: Confirmed its non-participation to The New York Times.
- Washington: Confirmed it would not participate, according to reporting by CNN.
- Maine: Confirmed it will not send a delegation.
- Illinois: While the state government declined to participate, the Peoria Riverfront Museum is expected to represent the state. According to CNN, state officials noted that no public funds were used for the museum’s travel or exhibit design.
How does this compare to previous anniversary celebrations?
The "Great American State Fair" is part of a broader "Freedom 250" initiative managed by a federal task force. While organizers maintain that every state will be represented through various organizations or tourism boards, the pushback from state governments marks a shift in how federal-state partnerships for national milestones are perceived.
Historically, national anniversaries such as the Bicentennial in 1976 involved significant federal subsidies for state-level projects. The current friction stems from the federal government’s request that states "foot the bill" for their presence in Washington, a departure from the collaborative funding models seen in past decades.
What happens to the planned exhibits?
Despite the high-profile withdrawals, federal task force spokespeople maintain that the fair will proceed with over 150 exhibits. The organizers state that representation will be filled by a mix of tourism boards, private companies, and cultural organizations to ensure every American community is included. The fair is currently scheduled to begin on June 25, 2026, following the high-profile and controversial UFC event hosted on the White House South Lawn earlier that month.
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