Not every state appeared ready to join the celebration for America’s big birthday.
As President Trump’s large-scale fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, opened to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, each US state was expected to showcase its identity with a dedicated booth. But several left-leaning states that objected to the event offered notably sparse displays — or appeared to make little effort at all.
Follow The Post’s live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis
The Great American State Fair moved into full swing this week, featuring a 110-foot Ferris wheel rising near the Washington Monument and a series of pavilions designed to highlight the culture, attractions and signature character of all 50 states.
Some states leaned into the assignment. New York drew visitors with a photo booth set against its familiar “I heart NY” sign, while Colorado displayed a ski lift chair and North Carolina paid tribute to its NASCAR heritage. Other booths offered souvenirs, tourism materials and more immersive presentations aimed at promoting travel.
Yet close to a dozen states delivered far more modest setups, with some displays limited to little more than signage and a few chairs. The minimal participation came as some officials criticized the fair as being too closely tied to Trump and, in their view, overly politicized.
“I think it shows poorly because it’s an opportunity to boost tourism for their state, set aside all the political stuff right now and boost that,” one fair-goer, Ashley from Virginia, told The Post.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said last week that “businesses don’t want to participate” because “the president has politicized this.”
The Keystone State, however, ultimately participated after pressure from its two US senators. Six US territories joined with the 50 states in display booths — though some made unpatriotic, half-baked appearances.
Behold the top 10 most “un-American” no-show states at the fair.
Washington and Oregon
The bare-bones “Evergreen State” and “Beaver State” booths were both a ghost town, each with just two drab chairs in a nearly empty room on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Unexpected New Chapter: Texas AG's Mistress After Scandal Unraveled
There were no “quick fact” lists about attractions — such as Mount Hood or Seattle’s Space Needle — and no state-specific memorabilia. One fairgoer who strolled into the two-state exhibit room, promptly said “nope” and left right away.
Another man plopped down in a chair simply to check his phone in the air-conditioned vacant space.
Connecticut
The “Constitution State’s” snooze-worthy booth had two empty chairs, no other furniture and not an attendee in sight.
Maine
The “Pine Tree State” stepped it up slightly with a small table and a faux potted plant.
Missing from the sad scene were state-themed facts and swag, like the items other states provided.
Rhode Island and Vermont
Cue the tumble weeds in this desolate two-state room, which showcased the “Green Mountain State” with two cushionless chairs, a small table and a sign with an image of a skier.
Rhode Island’s ho-hum booth next to it had a whopping three chairs, a table and a small plant.
Massachusetts
While the state had a representative handing out stickers, it fell flat with the same dull poster that no-show states got.
Hawaii and Alaska
The “Aloha State” and the “Last Frontier” states’ yawn-inducing exhibits had only chairs and basic posters behind them. Points for featuring rugs, though.
Hawaii was “not operating a pavilion” at the fair because of its physical distance to DC and because “no funds were earmarked by the state or by Congress,” Hawaii’s Office of the Governor told The Post.
California
The nation’s most populous state had a slightly bigger exhibit with a bland display of the state’s signature bear flag and a circular couch.
Visit California, its main sponsor, told The Post that it “focused on road trips as well as California’s statewide culinary offerings and agriculture.”
The Post reached out to every governor’s office in the “10 worst states” and only heard back from Hawaii and California.
-Additional reporting by Natalie O’Neill
