A 72-year-old drove 9 hours to D.C. to save her state's spot at the Great American State Fair
WASHINGTON — When Massachusetts declined to fund an official exhibit at the Great American State Fair, a 72-year-old retired teacher decided her state's story wouldn't be left behind.
Donna Festinger climbed into her car in western Massachusetts and drove nine hours to the National Mall, hauling 300 miniature maple syrup bottles and children's coloring books. She spent three days assembling a booth that now draws crowds with classic New England touches — a far cry from the half-empty spaces that mark several other state pavilions at the fair, which runs through July 10.
Massachusetts is among at least seven states — including Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington — that have no official state-run presence at the event, organized by Freedom250, a group affiliated with the White House-backed Task Force 250. In many cases, local nonprofits, business owners and residents have stepped in to fill the void. The Peoria Riverfront Museum, for example, is running Illinois' booth.
These volunteer-driven exhibits have produced both heartwarming stories and flashpoints. Festinger says she got the last available hotel room in D.C. and works 13-hour days greeting visitors. Her booth showcases Massachusetts-made products and culture, a contrast to some displays that remain largely bare — with little more than backdrops and chairs.
The fair, part of the America 250 celebration marking the nation’s semiquincentennial, has also stirred controversy. A Confederate flag shown on a screen in North Carolina's booth drew backlash, prompting sponsor Mt. Olive Pickle Company to withdraw. Gov. Josh Stein's office welcomed the removal, saying the display “does not reflect the North Carolina that we love.”
Yet many volunteers see their efforts as a quiet act of patriotism. In Pennsylvania's booth, volunteers hand out Middleswarth potato chips beneath antique American flags; a penny press machine donated by U.S. Steel draws curious visitors. Luke Gennaro of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said the exhibit came together quickly after the state opted out. “We couldn’t just be empty here,” he said.
Festinger said she didn't initially think of driving to D.C. “Then I decided, 'Wow, I could just go there myself,'” she told USA TODAY. Now, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., she greets visitors, handing out syrup samples and books. “So many people came in and just said, ‘Thank God, finally you guys are up. We were missing Pennsylvania,’” Gennaro added, reflecting the sentiment that the fair, despite official gaps, has become a stage for everyday citizens to step up.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].