June 12, 2026, 3:53 p.m. CT
Illinois is one of several states reportedly opting out of President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair.
Some states cited cost as a primary reason for detaching from the event, while others pointed to the event’s increasingly partisan nature.
What is the Great American State Fair?
Trump’s Freedom 250 group has positioned the Great American State Fair as a massive 16-day festival with myriad attractions, performances and exhibits from all 50 U.S. states and six territories.
It is one of a slew of events marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, and is set to run from June 25 to July 10 at the National Mall.
In recent weeks, the event’s planned concert series unraveled after a number of musicians backed out, with several citing the event’s perceived political affiliation.
As a result, Trump announced that the concerts had been replaced with a rally on June 24 with a different headliner: himself. Musicians Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio will also perform.
Which states are opting out of Great American State Fair? Is Illinois going?
Rachel Reisner, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, told USA TODAY all 50 states and U.S. territories would be represented in the festivities, designing pavilions with interactive experiences to highlight their unique characteristics and contributions.
“Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan organization, full stop — and our track record of collaboration across red, blue, and purple states speaks for itself,” Reisner said.
Officials in Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina confirmed to USA TODAY that they would not be participating in the event, however.
NOTUS reported that Illinois, Maine and Oregon will also not be sending a delegation, while Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington are uncommitted to the event.
CNN similarly reported that Oregon and Washington have declined an invitation to the event, while Pennsylvania has not yet decided.
A spokesperson for the state of Illinois told NOTUS it would be represented by the Peoria Riverfront Museum, though they do not know how or why the museum was chosen by Freedom 250.
“I’m sorry, but that’s the extent of what we know about this event. We don’t have any further information regarding who contacted them,” Natalie Boscia, the vice president of PR for Enjoy Illinois, told the outlet.
Why are some states saying no?
Some officials have pointed to cost as a factor for detaching from the event, but others have remained quiet.
A source familiar with the organizing confirmed to USA TODAY that the cost to build out the booths was covered by Freedom 250. Each state was invited to fill their booth how they choose, with states covering these costs on their own, the source said.
Michele Walker, assistant communications director for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said in a statement that the state is not attending “due to the expenditures required to participate.”
Spokespeople in Connecticut and Massachusetts cited similar concerns, with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey saying in a June 2 interview on GBH News that Trump’s administration “wants to charge us” for the event.
Reisner told NOTUS, however, “Freedom 250 is not charging states to participate.”
Luke Harkin, a spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, cited both cost and concerns that the event is “a more partisan affair than originally presented” in a statement to CNN.
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