Great American State Fair | Which US states will and won't participate, a complete list

The Great American State Fair, a 16-day Freedom 250 event scheduled for June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall, is facing an uneven state-by-state response.

According to NOTUS, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon have said they will not officially send delegations to the fair.

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington remain uncommitted, even as organizers say the event is intended to feature pavilions representing every US state and territory.

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A full house remains the ambition

Freedom 250 says the fair will still include broad representation. The White House-linked Freedom 250 site says the celebration will showcase “every US state and territory,” and the event page describes more than 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories.

Spokesperson Rachel Reisner said the goal is that all 50 states and US territories will be represented, adding that the organization is “actively finalizing the details for several states right now.”

Illinois, meanwhile, said it will be represented by the Peoria Riverfront Museum, even though state officials said they were not clear how the museum was chosen.

An assortment worthy of a county fête

Several states that are participating, or at least publicly describing plans, have already sketched out what they intend to show.

Florida might bring an airboat, West Virginia is working on a “Country Roads-themed booth," Texas is still finalizing its pavilion, and Indiana will have mini golf. New York is planning a sculpture of the “I LOVE NY” logo; Nevada will invite guests to stand under the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign; South Carolina will have a putting green, postcards, and cornhole; Oklahoma is preparing a prairie-inspired display; South Dakota will tell the story of Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex; and Wyoming is building a booth themed “The Way America Used to Be.”

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Money, timing and politics cloud participation

Cost, timing, and politics appear to be driving much of the hesitation.

North Carolina said the fair would require at least $100,000 to prepare the exhibition space and cover staff travel and accommodation.

Assistant communications director Michele Walker said, “We decided early in the process that we do not have the capacity to participate,” adding that limited resources are being directed to America 250 events in the state.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey also criticized the fair’s direction, while Reisner pushed back, saying, “Freedom 250 is not charging states to participate.”

The fair remains scheduled to open June 25, with organizers still working to firm up details for several states.

FAQs

Q1: Which US states are not participating in the Great American State Fair?

Ans: Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oregon have said they will not officially send delegations to the Great American State Fair.

Q2: When and where is the Great American State Fair taking place?

Ans: The Great American State Fair is scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, DC.