Construction crews are racing against the clock on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as the opening of the Great American State Fair draws near. Billed as a patriotic World’s Fair for the nation’s 250th birthday, the event promises a spectacle of state pavilions, concerts, and cultural showcases. But beneath the bunting and banners, controversy simmers: several states have declined to participate, citing costs and concerns about politicization, and lawsuits swirl over funding transparency and conflict of interest.
According to CNN, at least six states—Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina, and Connecticut—have officially declined invitations from the Trump administration to showcase their states at the fair, which is set to run from June 25 to July 10, 2026. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, remains on the fence. The reasons for non-participation vary, but most states point to budgetary constraints. Oregon’s spokesperson, Luke Harkin, was blunt, telling CNN, “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.”
Freedom 250, the Trump-aligned nonprofit spearheading the fair, insists the event will include all 50 states and territories—if not through official government participation, then via tourism boards, local organizations, or companies. “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 told CNN. “Whether represented by a governor’s office, a tourism board, or a beloved state company or organization, every community will be celebrated.”
Despite the political wrangling, the fair’s organizers are pressing ahead. Renderings shared with CNN show that 21 states have already submitted pavilion designs, ranging from South Carolina’s mini-golf course to Texas’s replica of the Alamo and Montana’s fossil-digging station. Other plans include an immersive reproduction of Arizona’s Antelope Canyon, a mechanical milking cow in Michigan, and a pond filled with miniature loons in Minnesota. Wyoming’s pavilion will feature an augmented reality rodeo experience—certainly not your average state fair fare.
The fairgrounds themselves will be hard to miss. Large white tents, adorned with neo-classical columns, will line the Mall. There’s talk of a 250-foot triumphal arch, a nod to Trump’s vision for the event, and a 110-foot Ferris wheel. Military flyovers, movie screenings, and musical performances are also on the agenda. “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,” Courtny Hinds, general manager of the Wyoming State Fair, told CNN.
However, the question of who pays for what has been a sticking point. According to CNN, Freedom 250 is covering the basic construction of booths and pavilions, but states are expected to fund their own decorations and staff the exhibitions for the fair’s two-week run. For many, it’s simply too expensive. Cathryn Vaulman, director of communications for Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, summed up her state’s decision: “The federal government has asked states to foot the bill to participate, including staffing a multiweek exhibition.” North Carolina echoed that sentiment, with a spokesperson explaining, “Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina.”
Oregon, in particular, balked at a $70,000 shipping cost that officials said was “substantially” higher than anticipated. All the states declining participation are led by Democratic governors, according to CNN, and some have voiced suspicions that the event’s tone may be more partisan than its initial pitch suggested.
Organizers, for their part, reject the notion that the fair is divisive. Freedom 250 maintains that the event is a celebration for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. “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 in a statement to CNN. The group points to historical precedent, noting that presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Gerald Ford have played prominent roles in past milestone celebrations.
Yet the political backdrop is hard to ignore. Trump will kick off the fair with what he’s dubbed “A Rally to end all Rallies!” following the withdrawal of several musicians from the opening concert. On Truth Social, Trump dismissed the departing artists, writing, “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”
The fair is just one piece of a broader, Trump-driven vision for the nation’s semiquincentennial. Freedom 250 is also behind a series of other events, including a controversial UFC fight at the White House. The Trump family has marketed “Freedom 250” commemorative coins—some priced as high as $12,000—prompting lawsuits and questions about conflicts of interest, as reported by Mezha.net. Two Virginia residents filed a lawsuit seeking to block the UFC fight, arguing that the government should be focused on lowering costs for Americans instead of funding high-profile spectacles. Justice Department lawyers countered that the suit was filed too late and would unfairly burden months of planning and thousands of participants. The administration is awaiting a ruling in the case.
Transparency has emerged as another flashpoint. Freedom 250, as a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Park Foundation, is not required to disclose its donors. Watchdog groups, including Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), have sued the Trump administration for refusing to release key documents related to Freedom 250. Tim Whitehouse, PEER’s executive director, told CNN, “Trump’s partisan events are not what the American people deserve on their 250th birthday.” A federal judge has ordered the administration to respond to PEER’s complaint by June 26, 2026.
For some, the 250th anniversary celebrations are a chance to reflect on the nation’s history and look to the future. For others, they’re a battleground for deeper questions about patriotism, politics, and who gets to shape the story of America. As construction continues and the fair’s opening day approaches, one thing is certain: the Great American State Fair has become a microcosm of the debates roiling the country—a celebration marked by both pride and polarization.
In the end, whether visitors come for the mini-golf, the rodeo, or just to see what all the fuss is about, the fair is set to be a focal point of America’s 250th birthday—warts and all.