# 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:** 20
**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 26, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/381 "2026-06-26T19:44:43Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s the same poorly-done crap as other states, just BIGGER. I kind of like it. It reminds me of the video for “Winona’s Big Brown Beaver”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/aYDfwUJzYQg/maxresdefault.jpg "Primus - Wynonna's Big Brown Beaver") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDfwUJzYQg) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/382 "2026-06-26T20:01:21Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I kind of like it. It reminds me of the video for “Winona’s Big Brown Beaver”. Yeah, but Primus actually put some effort into that video. Texas didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/383 "2026-06-26T20:09:28Z")
All the states and territories have both public and private organizations that do promotions and publicity for the state as tourist or business destination or educational presentations about it, and that set up exhibits at fairs, conventions, trade shows etc. at different scales relative to budget, booth/floor space available and event requirements. For something like the “Great State Fair” I can see there being a large variation on who would show up on behalf of each state and with what. I can easily picture some of the states having a more professional setup and others not so much, some having the tourism agency others a trade association and yet others some ad-hoc group do it, and so forth, most trying to keep it on the cheap side. I still can’t find what the Puerto Rico participation is in this mess so I strongly suspect it’s whatever version of our standard promotional pavillion/booth kit (we have a whole bunch of ‘em, some stored stateside) can be made to fit the space at the least expense, given tweaks to include 250th-anniversary related content. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/384 "2026-06-26T20:18:54Z")
Just putting one of those hotel racks with brochures for local attractions in the booth would look classier than any of the state displays I’ve seen photos of. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Flagstaff_motel_local_pamphlets.jpg/1920px-Flagstaff_motel_local_pamphlets.jpg?_=20181220140440) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Flagstaff_motel_local_pamphlets.jpg/1920px-Flagstaff_motel_local_pamphlets.jpg?_=20181220140440) ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/385 "2026-06-26T20:23:01Z")
> it’s not only because states are pulling out Does this mean there won’t be any baby states? ---
**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 26, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/386 "2026-06-26T20:43:28Z")
We already have Rhode Island… ---
**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 26, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/387 "2026-06-26T20:46:21Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s the same poorly-done crap as other states, just BIGGER. Huh, that dummy is a miniature Big Tex from the state fair. That doesn’t fit the ‘bigger’ theme at all ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/388 "2026-06-26T21:48:21Z")
Are there any displays for Guam? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/389 "2026-06-26T21:49:25Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s the same poorly-done crap as other states, just BIGGER. The Minnesota booth has a “how do you measure up to Paul Bunyan” display, but it’s only 8ft tall. They’ve also thoughtfully included a [loon pond](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/minnesota-to-showcase-loon-pond-at-trump-s-state-fair/gm-GM44977CF8?gemSnapshotKey=GM44977CF8-snapshot-5) in their exhibit. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/390 "2026-06-27T00:04:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > We already have Rhode Island… Hey - we pulled out FIRST! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/391 "2026-06-27T00:07:25Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > They’ve also thoughtfully included a [loon pond](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/minnesota-to-showcase-loon-pond-at-trump-s-state-fair/gm-GM44977CF8?gemSnapshotKey=GM44977CF8-snapshot-5) in their exhibit. The one at the [White House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_swimming_pool) wasn’t enough? 😃 ---
**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 27, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/392 "2026-06-27T00:07:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are there any displays for Guam? Guam isn’t a state, obviously, but apparently it is involved: > **[Guam America 250 | CHamoru Cultural Group Application – Washington D.C.](https://www.visitguam.com/250/)** > > Apply now to represent Guam at the America 250 Great American State Fair in D.C. (June-July 2026). $10,000 stipend for selected CHamoru cultural groups. And there is this: [Guam DOJ: In Celebration of Freedom 250, The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam Contributes to Family Violence Shelter](https://www.justice.gov/usao-gu/pr/celebration-freedom-250-united-states-attorneys-office-district-guam-contributes-family) [![](https://www.justice.gov/d9/styles/banner/public/2026-05/alee_shelter_presentation.jpg?itok=A1MWCkGy) ](https://www.justice.gov/d9/styles/banner/public/2026-05/alee_shelter_presentation.jpg?itok=A1MWCkGy) But I’m not seeing any photos of what they actually did, if anything, in DC. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/393 "2026-06-27T00:28:01Z")
I wonder who supplied the backdrops for the booths? With that tiny Stephen King reference behind the chair, I’m guessing it wasn’t the administration. I’m surprised (and a little impressed) that someone decided to include pictures of lighthouses other than Portland Head. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/394 "2026-06-27T00:31:33Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Thank you for making me laugh. That’s perfect. Glad you liked it! 🙂 > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Dancing is too much like sex standing up. Or so said the bluenoses. I keep forgetting that for some reason! And this principal was carrying on an affair with one of the teachers (reportedly on school grounds) so yeah, I guess that tracks. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/395 "2026-06-27T00:44:45Z")
Tragic news – the Vanilla Ice concert has been cancelled less than 2 hours before it was scheduled to start. Organizers blame the weather, but there are rumors that it was due more to poor attendance. Stop, collaborate and listen – well, one out of three ain’t bad. ---
**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 27, 2026, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/396 "2026-06-27T00:49:30Z")
The Fair was shut down a few hours ago because of “inclement weather”. Even though there are no storms in the area and the website says it will be open “rain or shine”. So much for the second day. ---
**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 27, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/397 "2026-06-27T01:05:17Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Even though there are no storms in the area To be entirely fair, it’s not like it’s lovely weather in DC this evening. At the moment, there’s a line of thunderstorms maybe 40 miles south of the city, and rain in the forecast. From the [NWS page for Washington](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.8921&lon=-77.0199), and tonight’s forecast: > [@](#): > > Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. However, I tend to agree, it does seem like they are using the excuse of possibly-inclement weather to avoid more criticism about small crowds. > [@aurora\_maire](#): > > and the website says it will be open “rain or shine” “Well, only for a little rain.” ---
**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 27, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/398 "2026-06-27T02:41:06Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Tragic news – the Vanilla Ice concert has been cancelled less than 2 hours before it was scheduled to start. I thought he melted when the power went out. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/399 "2026-06-27T05:48:54Z")
Vanilla Ice was already under pressure without the addition of thunder and lightning (very, very frightening!) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/400 "2026-06-27T06:00:33Z")
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