Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) indicated that he has taken action to ensure Pennsylvania’s participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington D.C. Pennsylvania was initially among a handful of blue or purple states that were not scheduled to participate in the event, which is part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, claimed that the event’s costs and lack of sponsorships from Pennsylvania businesses prevented the state from participating. In a number of interviews, the Democrat claimed that he could not find any interest, which he attributed to opposition to President Donald Trump.
He indicated that Pennsylvania would save approximately $700,000 by not participating, redirecting those funds toward state-level 250th anniversary events. Other states such as Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and North Carolina — all of which are helmed by Democrat governors — also declined official involvement.
The situation changed when U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) coordinated a private-sector initiative. Working with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and several Pennsylvania organizations, they assembled a coalition to ensure the state would have a presence at the fair.
Participating groups include the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, PennAg Industries Association, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, and The Manufacturer & Business Association. The effort relies entirely on private funding, with no use of taxpayer dollars, McCormick noted.
This partnership allows Pennsylvania to showcase its agriculture, manufacturing, small businesses, innovation, and historical significance. Organizations highlighted the state’s role in national food production, economic contributions, and foundational history. Senator McCormick emphasized the importance of representation.
“Pennsylvania is where America’s story began, and there was no way we were going to let the Commonwealth go unrepresented during our nation’s 250th birthday celebration,” he said. “As the birthplace of American independence, home to the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg, and the engine for the arsenal of democracy, Pennsylvania has a special responsibility to preserve, celebrate, and share that enduring legacy.”
Senator Fetterman added that celebrating Pennsylvania’s role is a bipartisan priority, and the booth will highlight the state’s strengths in agriculture, business, and history. The private approach addressed the earlier barriers related to public costs and sponsorship challenges.
FIRST LOOK 👀 Freedom 250 presents the Great American State Fair 🇺🇸
All 56 states and territories. One massive, World’s Fair–scale takeover.
June 25 – July 10, 2026. America’s biggest celebration of freedom. Don’t miss it. pic.twitter.com/MvTS1Zzuiy
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) April 16, 2026
The Great American State Fair is a 16-day national exposition on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., running from June 25 to July 10, 2026. It features pavilions from states and territories to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The event includes exhibits, cultural displays, and activities highlighting regional contributions to the nation.
