# Freedom 250 - The Great American State Fair **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 29, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470 "2026-05-29T03:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/241 "2026-06-12T21:45:59Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The Main Event! Trump versus 12 toddlers! Come and see the action! Fifty quatloos on the toddlers! ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/242 "2026-06-12T22:38:09Z")
At least he’s got a shot against them in the ring. They’d mop the floor with him in an academic contest ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/243 "2026-06-12T23:58:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The Main Event! Trump versus 12 toddlers! Come and see the action! [How many five-year olds can you beat up?](https://www.gotoquiz.com/how_many_five_year_olds_can_you_beat_up_1) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/244 "2026-06-13T03:46:55Z")
[_Meidas Touch_: White House UFC Event Lighting Nearly Blinded Flight Crew on Approach to Reagan National](https://meidasnews.com/news/white-house-ufc-event-lighting-nearly-blinded-flight-crew-on-approach-to-reagan-national) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/245 "2026-06-13T15:48:59Z")
Some states won’t be showing up for this clusterfuck, including mine (NC): [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/politics/great-american-state-fair.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.p1A.Ganj.qHZi0cHFxFaa&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/politics/great-american-state-fair.html?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.Ganj.qHZi0cHFxFaa&smid=url-share) > The states known to have withdrawn are Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. All of them are led by Democratic governors except Vermont, whose Republican governor, Phil Scott, has long been a critic of Mr. Trump. > The setup for the fair is already underway. The plan is to feature food from the 50 states and six territories, as well as military demonstrations and a 110-foot Ferris wheel. Doesn’t sound all that impressive. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/246 "2026-06-13T16:04:28Z")
Is it possible that the children are being used as human shields, like they are in soccer? \*OK, so I know that the kids aren’t specifically human shields in the strictest sense - they’re there because something something children and soccer and the future something something. But let’s not kid ourselves: a rival team’s fans aren’t going to hurl projectiles at the players if they’re out there with kids. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/247 "2026-06-13T23:52:40Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > But let’s not kid ourselves: a rival team’s fans aren’t going to hurl projectiles at the players if they’re out there with kids. Philly says, “Hold My Be-uh” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/248 "2026-06-15T09:51:22Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > At least he’s got a shot against them in the ring. They’d mop the floor with him in an academic contest I bet they’d ace the dementia test. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/249 "2026-06-15T17:17:34Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Doesn’t sound all that impressive. I just took a walk on the Mall, it looks horrible out there now. They have fenced off the mall from near the Washington Monument to almost the Capitol. They have temporary structures that are supposed to look like I guess Roman type buildings with columns and archways. They have also opened up a place to watch the World Cup. One can no longer get on to the mall in that area, and you can only get from one side to the other on the street. I have no idea what the place will look like in a week or two, but they still haven’t finished setting things up it looks like. And it’s a mess getting around down here now, streets are closed, opened, half closed. One person says you can walk this way, the next says you can’t be there. I hope they let us telework soon to keep away from this crap. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/250 "2026-06-15T17:44:02Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > One person says you can walk this way “If I could walk that way…” ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/251 "2026-06-15T17:47:13Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > One can no longer get on to the mall in that area, and you can only get from one side to the other on the street. I have no idea what the place will look like in a week or two, but they still haven’t finished setting things up it looks like. And it’s a mess getting around down here now, streets are closed, opened, half closed. One person says you can walk this way, the next says you can’t be there. My wife works on the Mall and reports the same. Tourists can’t get from the Smithsonian Metro station to either Smithsonian Natural History or Smithsonian American History, but there’s no signage in or out of the Metro to tell them that. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/252 "2026-06-15T18:44:48Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > They have temporary structures that are supposed to look like I guess Roman type buildings with columns and archways. Of course they are going for a Roman theme. Trump doesn’t want to be King, he wants to be Emperor. Thanks for the update. I hope you get to work from home soon. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/253 "2026-06-15T19:01:07Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Of course they are going for a Roman theme. Trump doesn’t want to be King, he wants to be Emperor. [Here’s what they kind of look like](https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair), though I’ve not seen the ones with the 3D columns on it. I’m surprised at how few of these photos are out there. I took one at lunch and I will see if I can post it later. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/254 "2026-06-15T20:00:45Z")
I sure wish I could talk CA into washing its hair or having to scrape the bathroom grout that week. > **[At least six states are bowing out of Trump’s ‘Great American State Fair’ |...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair)** > > President Donald Trump has billed the “Great American State Fair” as a patriotic World’s Fair featuring pavilions created by every US state and territory – but several US states will not participate. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/255 "2026-06-16T01:53:53Z")
So, rows of connected storage units with “fancy”, fake facades. I’d love to see the official guidelines on what the states can and cannot include in their pavillions. Will the states that were involved in the Underground Railroad get to showcase that great, humanitarian effort? I too wish CA would decline the offer, citing the need to cultivate their fruits and nuts, but if we’re going to be there I hope whoever designs it finds a way to illustrate our historic and ongoing liberal bent. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/256 "2026-06-16T21:00:10Z")
President Obama’s library is opening, and there will be musical performances in a plaza named for John Lewis. > **[Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony lineup to include Stevie Wonder,...](https://chicago.suntimes.com/arts-and-culture/2026/06/16/obama-presidential-center-opening-ceremony-lineup-to-include-stevie-wonder-bruce-springsteen)** > > Among the rest of the star-studded lineup tasked with bringing “music, performances, and hope,” are Eddie Vedder, The Roots, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2’s Bono and The Edge and actress... ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/257 "2026-06-16T21:03:30Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > there will be musical performances It must be exhausting to be MAGA—always having to explain to yourself why the biggest names in every field support the opponents of Dear Leader. While Dear Leader is supported only by has-beens and never-weres. It must feel like physical pain to them, having to pretend it makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/258 "2026-06-16T21:05:15Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > So, rows of connected storage units with “fancy”, fake facades. “Here’s your steel box. Get used to it” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/259 "2026-06-16T21:27:44Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It must be exhausting to be MAGA—always having to explain to yourself why the biggest names in every field support the opponents of Dear Leader. While Dear Leader is supported only by has-beens and never-weres. I was never MAGA - Trump was largely responsible for pushing me pretty firmly into the left going back even to his 2016 campaign, and by now I probably don’t even qualify as a moderate liberal anymore - but I remember my time years ago as a conservative. This isn’t new. Most of the popular, successful artists are very much left-leaning, and have been for generations. You generally have to separate your politics from your musical choices (which I think even people on the left have to do now and then). You rationalize that a lot of the time, people who focus on being excellent musicians just don’t have the time or energy to really inform themselves about politics and so end up on the wrong side. You figure that the “elites”, the people with money and influence, they attract the high-profile musicians and the humble, God-fearing, regular folks like yourself can only really identify with the lesser-known, less-successful musicians. It isn’t that big of a deal in the end for those people. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/260 "2026-06-16T21:36:45Z")
No, the artists that produce great art have open minds. The rest follows. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=14)