WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – America only turns 250 once. Unfortunately, even a semiquincentennial birthday party for the United States hasn’t escaped modern politics.
The Freedom 250 Great American State Fair on the National Mall was designed to showcase every state’s history, culture and contributions. Instead, several Democrat-led states declined to send official delegations, turning what was intended as a national celebration into yet another political statement.
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Organizers say every state and six U.S. territories are still represented in some fashion, but eight states opted not to participate officially in the fair which runs through July 10. According to political commentator and podcaster Bill O’Reilly, the boycott list includes Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont.
Michigan packed the snacks.
Michigan wasn’t one of the no-shows.
According to a Bridge Michigan report, the state sent 11 employees from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to Washington, D.C. to staff a roughly 600-square-foot exhibit at the fair. The display includes a mechanical milking cow, a robotic assembly arm similar to those used in auto plants, and an interactive map of the state. Visitors are also receiving free bags of Better Made potato chips.
Celebrating at home, too.
Michigan’s involvement in the semiquincentennial isn’t limited to Washington.
The state awarded about $2 million in America250 grants to local museums and historical organizations. While much of that funding is going toward long-term projects such as digitizing historical records and facility improvements rather than birthday celebrations themselves, coordinated public readings of the Declaration of Independence are planned in roughly 60 communities across Michigan. Some communities are also planning a bigger-than-usual fireworks celebration.
No official 250th celebration in Traverse City but plenty of fireworks.
While some communities across the country are marking America’s 250th birthday with special events, others are treating it like any other Independence Day. One example is Democrat-led Traverse City, where there are no official semiquincentennial celebrations planned. Grand Traverse County has no sponsored semiquincentennial events planned either.
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However, the National Cherry Festival, which coincides with the Fourth of July this year, has worked in partnership with the Traverse City Boom Boom Club and scheduled what they call “one of the largest fireworks displays ever presented” and will include choreographed fireworks, a custom drone presentation and aerial pyrotechnic performances. The only local observance of the 250th birthday appears to be a July 3 celebration organized by the county Republican Party.
More days of celebration.
Daily themes still to come during the 16-day event in D.C. highlight America’s faith and values, transportation and innovation, aviation, Independence Day, heritage, health, education, family and community, entrepreneurship, and the technologies shaping the nation’s next 250 years. The festivities culminate with “The Next 250 | Innovation,” showcasing advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, space exploration, energy, and other fields driving America’s future.
A birthday party with political baggage.
The fair itself hasn’t exactly enjoyed smooth sailing. Storms temporarily closed portions of the event, the giant Ferris wheel experienced interruptions, performers backed out before opening day, and Democrats have gleefully seized on reports of light attendance. Meanwhile, supporters insist the celebration is about America’s history rather than politics.
America’s Bicentennial in 1976 is widely remembered as a moment when red, white and blue decorations seemed to unite the country. This year’s 250th birthday arrives in a far more polarized climate.
America250MI project director Robert Doran-Brockway acknowledged the differences between now and the 200th bicentennial birthday, saying, “The entire country was united.” He went on to say that the nation was ready to get past President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974 and the Vietnam War “and ready to come together. I remember there was red, white and blue everywhere.” He added that he doesn’t see that now.
Michigan has no shortage of its own political battles. But when it came time to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the state did choose to show up – with robots, National Guard troops and, perhaps most importantly to hungry fairgoers, potato chips.
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