President Donald Trump’s ‘Great American State Fair’ is set to open on June 25, but several states have declined the invitation to participate. Officials from Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina cited costs as the primary reason for not attending, while also expressing concerns about the event’s partisan nature.

Partisan Concerns

A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, stated that the state will not participate in the fair due to both the cost and growing concerns that the event is shaping up to be a more partisan affair than originally presented. Despite this, all 50 states and territories will be represented at the fair, with details still being finalized.

Freedom 250, the Trump-aligned nonprofit organizing the fair, has shared renderings of pavilions proposed by 21 states, showcasing designs that reflect each state’s history and heritage. However, critics have argued that the celebrations depart from past national celebrations, which did not have such overt political overtones.

Controversy Surrounding the Event

Watchdog groups have raised alarm about the lack of transparency around Freedom 250, and two Virginia residents have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a UFC fight at the White House. The administration has defended Trump’s prominent place in the 250th celebrations, stating that presidents have long played a role in commemorations of the nation’s founding.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.