# 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:** 5
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/81 "2026-05-31T05:07:03Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > stars like Jason Aldean or Carrie Underwood, or really most anyone with any sort of name recognition, probably wouldn’t be thrilled about a gig that essentially involves them serving as replacement filler for the likes of Milli Vanilli. You would think that whoever was in charge of getting talent for something this big would have started with some of those names. Maybe they did and none of them were willing to do it for some reason. Or maybe they just cheaped out from the beginning. Whatever happened, they totally fucked it up. Which doesn’t bode well for all the other “activations” they have planned for the Fair. I expect we will hear some interesting stories. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/82 "2026-05-31T05:42:57Z")
I hear Pink Lady and Jeff have just dropped out of the “celebration”. Just in: The Banana Splits have just backed out. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/83 "2026-05-31T06:54:15Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > > [@joebuck20](#): > > > > stars like Jason Aldean or Carrie Underwood, or really most anyone with any sort of name recognition, probably wouldn’t be thrilled about a gig that essentially involves them serving as replacement filler for the likes of Milli Vanilli. > > You would think that whoever was in charge of getting talent for something this big would have started with some of those names. Maybe they did and none of them were willing to do it for some reason. Or maybe they just cheaped out from the beginning. Whatever happened, they totally fucked it up. Which doesn’t bode well for all the other “activations” they have planned for the Fair. I expect we will hear some interesting stories. As I wrote in the other thread, big name stars probably have management teams who scour every gig offer and contract with a fine-toothed comb. Even those representing MAGA friendly artists would have known that this had the potential to be a real shitshow. However, those representing Milli Vanilli and Vanilla Ice probably aren’t too picky. Hell, I’m sure that this looked like a huge step up from the sorts of gigs those artists usually play. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/84 "2026-05-31T15:47:18Z")
Maybe Josie and the Pussycats are available. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/85 "2026-05-31T15:50:39Z")
Just checked-They happen to be touring in Iceland at the time, double-billed with The Archies. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/86 "2026-05-31T15:53:47Z")
Maybe the Groovie Ghoulies? ---
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/87 "2026-05-31T15:58:26Z")
How about the Bugaloos? I think they are all still alive. They can start the show “We just flew in from England, and boy are our wings tired!” ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/88 "2026-05-31T16:09:46Z")
This just in: Mister Ted’s Puppet Show and Bouncy Castle have confirmed they will not attend. So no free balloon animal for the birthday boy. /sad. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/89 "2026-05-31T16:31:31Z")
Sadly, the Honeybees are down to just Tina Louise, who is probably not interested in performing, as she supported Hilary in 2016 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/90 "2026-05-31T16:48:14Z")
But surely whoever the “I’m too sexy for my shirt” guy is should be available and just knock it out of the park for der fuhrer. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/91 "2026-05-31T17:02:36Z")
That would be [Richard Fairbrass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Fairbrass) of Right Said Fred. And I’m sure he’d be excited to be there. > Fairbrass was hospitalised with COVID-19 in 2021, but has spoken out against COVID-19 measures and has been sceptical of the COVID-19 vaccine. > Fairbrass has routinely commented on the 2022 war in Ukraine, often speaking in support of Russia’s invasion and Vladimir Putin’s justifications for the conflict. In a Twitter post in December 2022, he called on Putin to resist “western domination”. He has also described Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government as a despotic regime. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/92 "2026-05-31T17:12:10Z")
I don’t get it. Everybody (I’ve never heard it done before) always (_ibid_) wants to bag on Right Said Fred, but I’ll have you know … that song has _already been_ in the West Wing: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/smMG6ELXwXA/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHUBoAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgVShCMA8=&rs=AOn4CLC2sGU0ZYemnD2yyPSnmk4br8NTXQ "The West Wing - 3x06 CJ is too sexy for her shoes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smMG6ELXwXA) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/93 "2026-05-31T17:31:35Z")
Well. That all worked out, then. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/94 "2026-05-31T17:43:40Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > And now the Head Chef of Shit will serve up a shitty substitute; himself. See Dozo the Clown and the J6 Sedition Chorus’s rendition of the National Anthem! 💩 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/95 "2026-06-01T00:26:23Z")
Even if the music is done, there’s still the UFC fight and the Grand Prix race? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/96 "2026-06-01T00:52:37Z")
I heard Dirk Diggler canceled. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UtOviHnmAlE/hqdefault.jpg ""The Touch"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtOviHnmAlE) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/97 "2026-06-01T00:52:45Z")
In the event of the UFC fighters bowing out (yeah right) maybe they can have an old timer Flair/Stallone matchup. (aware SS wasn’t a wrestler, but I’m sure he’d still jump at the chance) ---
**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 1, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/98 "2026-06-01T00:54:50Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Even if the music is done, there’s still the UFC fight and the Grand Prix race Those events are not part of the Fair which takes place on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10. From the website: > [@](#): > > The Great American State Fair will feature daily themed programming celebrating American history, innovation, culture, faith, military service, education, wellness, and the future of the nation including > > - A 110-foot Ferris wheel overlooking the National Mall > - The newly refurbished Smithsonian National Carousel > - State and territory showcases from across America > - Robotics and autonomous vehicle demonstrations > - Augmented reality activations and innovation exhibits > - CEO and innovator-led conversations and demonstrations We’ll see if the organizers do a better job of coordinating these events than they did with the musical acts, which have apparently all been canceled. ---
**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 1, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/99 "2026-06-01T02:14:45Z")
Augmented reality activations? Those fucking kick ass. In theory. And on paper, too. It’s like a duality thing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/100 "2026-06-01T02:38:21Z")
Is every state participating in this? I’d like to see a list of states or companies that will be there, and what they’re going to show. The 1903 St. Louis fair had some great exhibitions, for example. Heck, even EPCOT started out like a world’s fair. But is this going to be like that? I haven’t heard of my state participating. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=6)