# 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:** 27
**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 29, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/521 "2026-06-29T23:52:03Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Perhaps because their northern neighbor, the [birthplace of American](https://mimmsmuseum.org/2025/09/03/mini-golf-history/) minigolf, [declined to participate?](https://www.carolinajournal.com/sponsors-step-up-as-nc-officially-sits-out-america-250-fair/) Nah, we were apparently too busy trying to figure out if we would rather have the state represented by pickles or racists. šŸ˜³ (Again, I want to make it clear that Iā€™m impressed with Mt. Oliveā€™s responseā€¦I grew up in that area around people who would claim to have seen nothing wrong with that flag.) Speaking of food, werenā€™t these pavilions supposed to feature a notable dish from each state? If so, everyone involved should be glad that ~~Lesser~~ South Carolina left their barbecue at home where it belongs. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/522 "2026-06-29T23:55:46Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I finally found a picture of the Oregon booth (Oregon did not participate). Iā€™m surprised that they didnā€™t leverage the ā€œBeaver Stateā€ motto to indulge in a bit of adolescent sniggering. ---
**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 30, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/523 "2026-06-30T00:05:10Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I note that there is no hint of the existence of Portland in any of the photos. Didnā€™t you hear? It burned down in 2020. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Without me, my oboe is useless. > > Without my oboe, I am useless. ā€œ **With** my oboeā€¦ā€ \< insert rest of oboist joke \> ---
**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 30, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/524 "2026-06-30T00:08:39Z")
A pizza can feed a family of four. ---
**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 30, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/525 "2026-06-30T00:25:22Z")
Californiaā€™s booth (I refuse to call these walk-in closets ā€œpavilionsā€) isnā€™t exactly impressive, but at least it isnā€™t embarrassing. At the beginning of the video, I had hope that CA bucked the chair theme, but, no, there are a couple (being used for, gasp!, sitting rather than decor.) Itā€™s basically just a tourism office. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4IuInhRg6GM/maxresdefault.jpg "California pavilion at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IuInhRg6GM) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/526 "2026-06-30T00:26:06Z")
If Californiaā€™s ā€œtrade show boothā€ (it doesnā€™t rise to the level of a pavilion) is an example of a good one, Iā€™d stay home regardless of politics. Unless each state was giving out free samples of a signature food. THAT would get a few more people there! > [@DesertDog](#): > > A pizza can feed a family of four. So many states could feature pizza! I can only think of a few, thereā€™ve got to be more: Illinois has Chicago Deep Dish, New Jersey has the flat slice, Connecticut claims the first pizza joint, Seattle has one with cream cheese, Hawaii could claim ā€œHawaiian Pizzaā€ā€¦ ā€¦ and New York can show off The Pizza Wars: two competing pizzarias, both touting the best ā€œDollah Sliceā€! ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/527 "2026-06-30T00:36:17Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > And Florida. Mini-golf is evidently the #1 attraction at the fair. It couldnā€™t be that these states are trying to kiss up to the golfer in chief, could it? Itā€™s also a really easy way to make your little ā€œtentā€ have something ā€œto doā€. This Great American State Fair seems to be so amazingly lame. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/528 "2026-06-30T00:40:55Z")
[![](https://i.ibb.co/zWmBmJcZ/AISelect-20260629-203820-Chrome.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/zWmBmJcZ/AISelect-20260629-203820-Chrome.jpg) ---
**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 30, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/529 "2026-06-30T03:21:54Z")
Also seen in various forms on the internet: > [@](#): > > Great American State Fair Crowds So Small, Trump Cancels Fake Assassination Attempt ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/530 "2026-06-30T03:42:13Z")
[![](https://i.postimg.cc/nc8nx3fp/IMG-4142.png) ](https://i.postimg.cc/nc8nx3fp/IMG-4142.png) ---
**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 30, 2026, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/531 "2026-06-30T04:45:37Z")
[![](https://unstuckpolitics.com/uploads/default/optimized/3X/c/f/cf5a2a49bba11e86f68ee80ebc14535a58e71a18_2_728x1000.jpeg) ](https://unstuckpolitics.com/uploads/default/optimized/3X/c/f/cf5a2a49bba11e86f68ee80ebc14535a58e71a18_2_728x1000.jpeg) People are talking so much shit about the lack of participation that I suspect Trump is going to say that 1 million people are there on the 4th. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/532 "2026-06-30T05:47:51Z")
After all the truly disastrous stuff that Trump and his acolytes have pulled off/tried to pull off, this one is just side-splittingly funny. Like Nelson funny. Itā€™s nice to laugh occasionally. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**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 30, 2026, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/533 "2026-06-30T06:16:57Z")
A ā€œGreat American State Fairā€ is a good idea, and it would be nice to attend. Iā€™d think of it as a worldā€™s fair, only for the states in the US. As a foreigner, Iā€™d be happy to attend a non-political exposition of all the states in the union. Iā€™ve only been to about 23 states; Iā€™d like to learn about more, especially the ones that I have not visited, and be tempted to make vacation plans accordingly. But Trump had to politicize it, fronting in place of the musical acts that pulled out, and turning the event into a Trump Rally. That holds no interest for me; and the sad little booths that the individual states have, tell me that Iā€™m not missing anything if I donā€™t attend. No offense to my American friends, of which I have many. But I donā€™t think that Iā€™m going to learn much from a pair of chairs for Maine, a chair and a side table for Oregon, and a mini-putt for Indiana. Or is that Illinois? Who knows? And with King Trump hanging over all, no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/534 "2026-06-30T15:14:21Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > But I donā€™t think that Iā€™m going to learn much from a pair of chairs for Maine, a chair and a side table for Oregon, and a mini-putt for Indiana. Or is that Illinois? Who knows? Donā€™t worry. Us Americans think itā€™s stupid, too. I feel a tang of embarrassment for whoever thought this was a good idea. Well, just a little. I just think that, under competent leadership, the ā€œState Fairā€ could have been something that people would remember in 50, 100 years. (OK to be honest, this one will be remembered, but I meant _fondly_ remembered.) > [@Spoons](#): > > And with King Trump hanging over all OK, now thatā€™s a missed opportunity! Imagine, walking in and there is a 200x200 foot screen with trump the magnificent and benevolent looking down on his people, and a booming voice says ā€œWELCOME!ā€. And due to the advances of modern tech, his eyes follow you around. Oh that _would_ be something. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/535 "2026-06-30T15:19:21Z")
I donā€™t need help finding nightmare fuel, thanks. ---
**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 30, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/536 "2026-06-30T15:24:41Z")
[This op-ed piece is hilarious!](http://rmb.reuters.com/rmd/rss/item/tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_MT1USDAYNETN90741971007:307530675?channel=lgu586&giftCode=f2e8ff83a93a807003774978b0236d62ebfd8d66bccd6f1b05b9f7bbbf25d792) > I love President Donald Trumpā€™s Great American State Fair. I love its emptiness. Its expensive food. Its ability to confound Trump-friendly media outlets that keep pretending itā€™s going great. > This spectacle on the National Mall in Washington, DC, part of Trumpā€™s Trump-centric celebration of Americaā€™s 250th anniversary, is like watching your high school bully host a party that no one attends. Itā€™s a daily humiliation for a wildly unpopular president who coopted what should be a unifying national celebration and turned it into repellent schlock. > And I love it so much it hurts. > In the heat wave that has consumed most of America, I am cooled by the countryā€™s frosty reception of the fair, and shamelessly drunk on schadenfreude. > In a social media post on June 29, Trump ā€’ who is definitely not mad ā€’ wrote: ā€œDo you think people appreciate what a fantastic job we did in building and operating the Great American State Fair at the National Mall, packed with happy people, and everybody loving it? Ask yourself this simple question, ā€˜DO YOU THINK THAT OBUMA OR SLEEPY JOE BIDEN COULD HAVE DONE IT?ā€™ THE ANSWER IS NO!ā€ > Oh, man, somebody inject that tragic self-pity straight into my veins. ---
**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 30, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/537 "2026-06-30T15:26:30Z")
Non-paywalled version: > **[Trump's Great American State Fair is a fabulous flop | Opinion](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-trump-attendance/90741971007/)** > > I love President Donald Trumpā€™s Great American State Fair. I love its emptiness. Its expensive food. Its abject failure. ---
**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 30, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/538 "2026-06-30T17:54:11Z")
Hmm, that was supposed to be a gift link ā€¦ ---
**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 30, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/539 "2026-06-30T18:10:25Z")
Yesterday was MAHA-Monday (make America healthy again) at the fair. To kick it off, they had a pancake-eating contest because nothing says healthy like cramming excessive amounts of pancakes in your face as fast as you can. Contestants could be seen and heard gagging as they tried to eat, and as Fox News said, ā€œthe guy who won appeared really worried he wasnā€™t going to be able to keep the pancakes down, but in the end, he made it.ā€ The winner was reportedly chosen by ā€œaudience applause,ā€ which appeared to consist of a dozen people. This canā€™t be a real fair anymore, can it? Theyā€™re actively trying to make this a joke, right? ---
**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 30, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/540 "2026-06-30T18:32:05Z")
The beautiful irony of the Fox News chron ā€œGreat American State Fair Celebrates MAHA Movementā€ over a shot of a man trying to re-swallow his regurgitated pancakes. [![](https://i.postimg.cc/fT1mLwb8/2026-06-30-11-26-27-Greenshot.png) ](https://i.postimg.cc/fT1mLwb8/2026-06-30-11-26-27-Greenshot.png) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=28)