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North Carolina turns down invitation to participate in "Great American State Fair"

Jason Garber
/
Flickr via Openverse

North Carolina has turned down an invitation to participate in President Donald Trump’s "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall.

State officials announced the withdrawal, joining at least six other states that have bowed out of the upcoming sixteen-day summer exhibition.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources says the decision stems from budget and staffing limits. Officials estimate that setting up a pavilion in Washington would cost more than $100,000.

Instead, the state will focus its resources on local America 250 celebrations, including a major event at the State Capitol on July Fourth.

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Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.