Pennsylvania Senators and Business Groups Organize Private Display at National Mall Fair After State Declines

Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick organized a private delegation to represent Pennsylvania at the Great American State Fair after Gov. Josh Shapiro announced last Thursday that the state would not participate.

The two senators worked with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to secure sponsorships. Sponsors said Pennsylvania’s story was too important to miss during the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

Shapiro had cited a lack of business interest and said roughly $700,000 in taxpayer funds originally earmarked for the event would instead support celebrations inside the state.

Industry leaders told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the state’s outreach to sponsors began less than two weeks before the fair opened, while other states had been preparing displays since January. At least two major Pennsylvania companies had agreed to donate products but could not meet the short deadline. The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said it is now re-engaging those firms.

The Great American State Fair runs on the National Mall from June 25 through July 10. Ten states, nine led by Democratic governors, have withdrawn official delegations. All 50 states remain represented through displays arranged by Freedom 250 or private initiatives.

President Donald Trump opened the fair with a speech on the National Mall last week. Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania cited costs, scheduling, or politicization concerns for their decisions not to send state delegations. Fetterman and McCormick said Saturday they had partnered with business groups to ensure Pennsylvania would still have a presence at the event.