(The Center Square) \u2013 Pennsylvania was one of a handful of Democratic-led states that opted out of the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., citing partisan politics and cost \u2013 but it will have a presence after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the latest example of their bipartisan working relationship, U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, a Republican, announced Friday that they are partnering to showcase the commonwealth with no taxpayer funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Weeks ago, the Shapiro administration referred The Center Square<\/a> to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development when asked whether they planned to participate in the event. But in a recent interview with The New Republic<\/a>, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Pennsylvania\u2019s decision not to join the \u201cso-called Great American State Fair\u201d was due to President Trump\u2019s involvement and businesses declining to sponsor the booth.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPennsylvania is where America\u2019s story began, and there was no way we were going to let the Commonwealth go unrepresented during our Nation\u2019s 250th birthday celebration,\u201d McCormick said in a press release. \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The senators\u2019 partner organizations include the PA Chamber, PennAg, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, NFIB, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers\u2019 Association, and the Manufacturer & Business Association.<\/p>\n \u201cCelebrating America\u2019s 250th birthday and Pennsylvania\u2019s special role in our country is important and bipartisan,\u201d said Fetterman. \u201cWe discovered our Commonwealth wasn\u2019t participating in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall and we should be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Fetterman said the Pennsylvania booth will highlight the state\u2019s agriculture, businesses, and what makes it a \u201ctruly awesome and historic place.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump kicked off the event Wednesday evening during a patriotic opening ceremony on the National Mall, where military flyovers, musical performances, and ceremonial tributes helped launch the celebration of America\u2019s 250th anniversary.\u00a0<\/p>\n