WASHINGTON, D.C. — Florida is a popular tourist destination, and its booth at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall is among the most visited, too.
The pavilion representing the Sunshine State starts with a history lesson of Florida in St. Augustine.
“We talk about the history of Florida all the way back from Ponce de Leon in 1513 to the founding of St. Augustine, and through modern- and present-day Florida,” said VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO Bryan Griffin.
Visitors head next to the Everglades, spot a manatee, and get a lesson on Florida agriculture under an orange tree.
“It’s beautiful, lots of greenery and tropical sounds, and the smell of oranges,” said Anne Jackson of St. Augustine.
The tour closes out with a chance to read about rocket launches, golf at the Florida-shaped putting green, and pick up a souvenir.
“Florida understood the assignment,” said Katherine Croft of Georgia. “Florida really has knocked it out of the park, like that’s the best one so far.”
While some states opted not to participate in the fair operating under President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative, VISIT FLORIDA hopes its pavilion will attract new travelers to the Sunshine State.
“What an incredible way to be part of the celebration, to be together with other states, and to really exhibit what makes our country and our state special, so we couldn’t be more pleased to be there. And, we have really taken out all the stops to make sure it’s a good experience for our visitors,” said Griffin.