States showcase their claims to fame at D.C.’s national fair

One day ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States, visitors to the U.S. Capital braved expected 100-degree temperatures to attend the White House’s 15-day Great American State Fair on the National Mall. Fairgoers were treated to an Army helicopter flyover Friday morning, with more flyovers, concerts, and events planned throughout the day.

Temporary structures lining the Mall’s manicured lawns house exhibits representing all 55 states and territories, along with the District of Columbia, but some states decided not to send an official delegation. However, one such state, Pennsylvania, pulled together a last-minute display after Gov. Josh Shapiro previously said last month the Keystone State would not be participating.

What happened with Pennsylvania? On June 25, the first day of the fair, The New Republic reported that Shapiro confirmed his state’s nonappearance, with the governor citing the politicization of the event and a lack of interest from local businesses. Two days later, Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators, Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman, D-Pa., announced that, with the help of a coalition of Pennsylvania organizations, they would showcase the commonwealth’s agriculture, businesses, and history. Their display includes walls filled with framed art, pennants, and flags, along with informational posters, a basket full of packaged sour cream and onion chips, a small replica of the Liberty Bell, and more.

What do visitors think of the last-minute exhibit? Rick Quinn, who lives just northwest of Washington, D.C., but was born and raised in Pennsylvania, visited the booth on Wednesday. He said he appreciated what he had seen of the display and said it made no sense for his native state not to be represented.

“Given the historical position of Pennsylvania, relative to the other states—one of the 13 original Colonies, and the significance we had in the founding of this nation—you would think this would be prominently displayed, whether it’s for Liberty Bell, etc.,” said Quinn.

What about other booths? Visitors were invited to fill a commemorative Great American State Fair passport with stamps from each state booth they visited. Some states and territories hosted generous displays, while others were more sparsely represented. Earlier this week, Puerto Rico’s booth became so packed at one point that attendants stopped visitors from entering. Across the lawn in California’s mostly empty exhibit room, a woman cooled off in front of a large poster of the Golden Gate Bridge. Further down the Mall, Mississippi and Tennessee battled over recognition for their links to Elvis Presley—each with its own microphone mount where attendees could snap photographs. Colorado welcomed visitors to sit around a faux campfire, while Texas boasted a wall with Lone Star State music hits like Beyoncé’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter. A large Mardi Gras–costumed head smiled from the center of Louisiana’s display.

Dig deeper: Read my earlier report with Abby Young on the Great American State Fair’s kickoff.