One of President Donald Trump’s signature plans for celebrating the country’s 250th birthday is the “Great American State Fair,” a 16-day showcase on the National Mall meant to feature every state and territory. But days before the event is set to begin, several states have declined to participate.
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At least eight states—Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maine, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania—have said they will not take part in the fair, according to statements from state officials or comments to media outlets.
The reasons vary. Some states have cited budget concerns, while others have declined without offering a detailed explanation, even as they pledged to hold their own in-state celebrations.
Still, organizers say every state will be represented in some form at the fair.
“Whether represented by a governor’s office, a tourism board, or a beloved state company or organization, every community will be celebrated, and every American will see themselves in this once-in-a-generation event,” a spokesperson for Freedom 250, a federal taskforce organizing the celebration, said in a statement.
The fair, organizers say, will “showcase the very best of America” through more than 150 exhibits put on by the 56 states and territories. Trump has described the fair—which will begin on June 25—as “an enormous year-long nationwide celebration of our heritage.” Another planned event—a UFC fight on the White House grounds—has caused controversy.
Here is what to know about the states that have opted out.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s office confirmed to TIME that the state would not be attending, but declined to provide a reason for the decision.
Healey, a Democrat and frequent critic of Trump, has expressed frustration with the President’s handling of the anniversary celebrations, particularly the expectation that states pay to participate.
In an interview with Boston Public Radio, Healey said Trump is “too busy with his Great American State Fair down there that everybody’s bailing on… He invited all the states to participate and wants to charge us—charge us!—to put something on his exhibit, whatever he’s creating for Freedom 250. It’s just ridiculous. This is taxpayer money.”
Oregon
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek's office told KATU, an ABC affiliate, in a statement that the state withdrew due to “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."
Though like other states, Oregon plans to host its own celebrations for the country’s birthday.
"The Governor will still be proudly celebrating America's semiquincentennial here in Oregon and is looking forward to all of the great exhibitions and events the America 250 Oregon Commission will be planning through the summer and beyond," the statement continued.
North Carolina has also opted out, citing cost concerns.
The state would have had to spend $100,000 to put on an exhibition on the National Mall, and the state “decided early in the process that we do not have the capacity to participate,” Michele Walker, a communications director for the state, said in an email to NOTUS.
"Our limited resources are focused on America 250 events across North Carolina, including one at the State Capitol in Raleigh on July 4," Walker said to several outlets.
Connecticut
Connecticut officials similarly said that the state chose to focus its resources on its own local celebrations.
"Connecticut’s decision to decline participation in the Great American State Fair came down to resources," Cathryn Vaulman, director of communications for Gov. Ned Lamont, said in a statement to USA Today. "The federal government has asked states to foot the bill to participate, including staffing a multiweek exhibition."
Illinois officials told CNN that they had declined an invitation to participate in the state fair. But Illinois is still expected to have a presence at the fair through the Peoria Riverfront Museum, which will represent the state.
“State funds were not used to pay for the Museum’s travel, registration, or exhibit design and giveaways,” Jayette Bolinski, the communications director for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, told the outlet.
The state does not know why or how the Peoria Riverfront Museum was chosen by Freedom 250 to represent Illinois in the fair, according to Natalie Boscia, the vice president of PR for Enjoy Illinois, the official platform of the Illinois Office of Tourism.
Maine, Pennsylvania, and Washington
Maine reportedly said to NOTUS it won’t be sending a delegation to the fair, without offering an explanation. Pennsylvania officials told The New York Times the state would not participate, and CNN reported officials from Washington said the same.
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