Two Massachusetts residents have stepped in to represent their state at the Great American State Fair in Washington D.C., a patriotic celebration of American independence, after Governor Maura Healey and other Democratic governors opted out of the event. Donna Festinger, a former teacher, funded her own trip to the National Mall to ensure Massachusetts had a presence at the Freedom 250 event, which runs from June 25 to July 10.
Festinger expressed her disappointment with the decision by state governments, including Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, to boycott the fair. "I'm very disappointed that Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts decided — their governments decided not to support this effort to celebrate our American heritage," she stated, calling the boycott "shameful." Festinger believes this action suggests a lack of pride in America and Massachusetts from their respective leaders.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. In an interview with Boston Public Radio, Healey reportedly mocked the fair, suggesting Trump was using it for personal financial gain and falsely claiming states were being charged to participate. Healey's office had previously stated that the state would not participate due to concerns that the event was becoming too partisan.
Other Democratic governors cited similar reasons for their states' non-participation. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pointed to Trump's alleged "politicization of America 250 activities." The office of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also cited the cost of participation and growing concerns about the event's partisan nature.
Festinger, who plans to remain at the fair for its entire duration, believes the boycotts are instead uniting the American public. "Most people are upset about it and do not understand why a governor would do that," she observed, adding that this sentiment bridges party lines, with Democrats, Republicans, and independents agreeing that every state should celebrate its country.
At the Massachusetts booth, Festinger was joined by Judith Kalaora, a Boston resident who donned a Revolutionary War-era uniform to honor Deborah Sampson, a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army. Kalaora expressed hope that her presence would unite people and highlight the spirit of Boston and Massachusetts through the nation's heritage and military history. She emphasized her belief that the United States has achieved more in 250 years than many other nations have in much longer periods.
Mention of the Great American State Fair comes as a heatwave affects parts of the United States. Tens of millions of Americans were under heat advisories, with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas and heat index values potentially reaching 115 degrees during the July 4th holiday weekend.