Four states told The Epoch Times they’re declining an official role over cost, while Freedom 250 says no fee is required and all 50 states will be represented.
Several states will not send official, state-funded delegations to the Great American State Fair, the 16-day celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary that opens Thursday on the National Mall. The states that explained the decision to The Epoch Times pointed to cost.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, the nonprofit organizing the fair, said there was no required fee to take part, that all 50 governors were invited, and that all 50 states and six U.S. territories will be represented and have booths—with many governments routing their participation through partners such as tourism boards, cultural foundations, and companies.
“Every community will be celebrated,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times, and “every American will see themselves” at the event.
Four states told The Epoch Times they would not send an official delegation: Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. All four have Democratic governors, but each tied the decision to cost rather than opposition to the event. In each case, a private partner is stepping in so the state is still represented.
Maine described its decision in the most detail. The Maine Semiquincentennial Commission voted unanimously not to take part, said its director, Sarah Hansen.
She said the commission estimated the cost at $500,000 or more, with no federal funding offered, and cited a late invitation and lack of communication from organizers. While participating in the event required no fee, states were responsible for building and staffing their own exhibits, according to Freedom 250.
Hansen noted the fair is being run by Freedom 250, the nonprofit working with the White House’s Task Force 250, rather than the congressionally established America 250 Commission.
North Carolina pointed to its budget. The state’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources estimated that taking part would cost at least $100,000 and told organizers on April 6 that it could not attend, said Michele Walker, the department’s assistant communications director.
By Chase Smith
