John Fetterman helps get PA display at Trump's Great American State Fair

• Pennsylvania will now be represented at the Great American State Fair after initially withdrawing.
• U.S. Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick formed a coalition of private organizations to represent the state.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro had previously pulled out, citing a lack of interest from businesses due to the event's politicization.

Only two days after Pennsylvania withdrew from the Great American State Fair, U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, and David McCormick, R-Pennsylvania, announced a coalition of organizations would represent the Keystone State at the fair.

The fair, which runs from June 25 to July 10 in Washington, D.C., is part of a bigger effort to commemorate America's 250th birthday. It was organized by Freedom 250, a nonprofit created as part of President Donald Trump's effort to commemorate the county's semiquincentennial that works closely with the White House's America 250 task force.

In a press release from McCormick's office, both senators emphasized the importance of Pennsylvania having a presence at the fair.

Why will Pennsylvania be at the Great American State Fair after pulling out?

Just a few days ago, on June 25, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told The New Republic that Pennsylvania wouldn't participate in the Great American State Fair because of a lack of interest from businesses.

"None were interested," Shapiro said. "It reflects this sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in — that the president has politicized this to a degree that businesses don’t want to participate."

Two days after the announcement, Fetterman and McCormick said they had put together a group of organizations that would represent Pennsylvania at the fair, an effort "made possible entirely through private partnerships" without the use of taxpayer dollars, according to a release from McCormick's office.

"Celebrating America’s 250th birthday and Pennsylvania’s special role in our country is important and bipartisan," Fetterman said. "We discovered our Commonwealth wasn’t participating in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, and we should be. We are now making sure Pennsylvania’s booth will highlight the Commonwealth’s agriculture dominance, our businesses and what makes PA a truly awesome and historic place."

McCormick added that it was essential for Pennsylvania to be represented because of its role in America's foundation.

"Pennsylvania is where America’s story began, and there was no way we were going to let the Commonwealth go unrepresented during our Nation’s 250th birthday celebration," McCormick said. "As the birthplace of American independence, home to the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg and the engine for the arsenal of democracy, Pennsylvania has a special responsibility to preserve, celebrate and share that enduring legacy."

Who's representing Pennsylvania at the Great American State Fair?

To ensure Pennsylvania was represented at the Great American State Fair, McCormick and Fetterman worked in coordination with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, as well as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, PennAg Industries Association, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and The Manufacturer & Business Association.

This coalition of organizations will represent Pennsylvania at the fair.

"Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is pleased to see that Pennsylvania agriculture will be on display as part of the Great American State Fair taking place on the National Mall," said Chris Hoffman, president of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. "This is an excellent opportunity for Pennsylvania’s top industry to be on display at the national level, along with the other states that work together to provide the food, fuel and fiber that sustains our nation."

Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.