Sen. Dave McCormick Challenges Governor’s Suspension of Pennsylvania’s Participation in Fair
Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) is taking a stand against Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D-Pa.) decision to suspend Pennsylvania’s involvement in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.
In a press release, McCormick announced that he and Senator John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) are forming a “coalition of Pennsylvania organizations” to ensure the state is represented at the Freedom 250-sponsored event, scheduled for June 25 to July 10. This announcement was made “in coordination” with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
It’s worth mentioning that the plan to secure Pennsylvania’s presence at the Great American State Fair relies completely on private partnerships—no tax dollars will be used.
Joining McCormick and Fetterman in this endeavor are several organizations, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, the PennAg Industries Association, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, and the Manufacturers Association (MBA).
“Pennsylvania is where American history began, and we cannot afford to leave the Commonwealth unrepresented in our 250th anniversary celebrations,” McCormick stated. He highlighted Pennsylvania’s significance as the birthplace of American independence and its historical sites like Gettysburg, emphasizing the state’s unique role in preserving and sharing its heritage.
Fetterman echoed this sentiment, stating, “Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Pennsylvania’s special role in our nation is important and bipartisan.” He pinpointed the absence of Pennsylvania at the Great American State Fair as a missed opportunity.
The press release follows Governor Shapiro’s comments in an interview with The New Republic, where he mentioned that his office received feedback from “companies related to President Trump’s celebratory events.” Shapiro indicated that despite efforts to collaborate with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, there was little interest from companies to participate in anniversary events, suggesting a politicization that has deterred engagement.
