Governor Gianforte Announces Montana To Participate in Great American State Fair

All 50 States and six U.S. territories to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Commerce today announced Montana will join all 50 states and six territories in celebrating the United States' 250th anniversary at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., from June 25 to July 10.

Montana's exhibit at the Great American State Fair will include information about the entire state to showcase its history and encourage fairgoers to plan their own trip to visit Montana in the future. The two-week long event is expected to host over 2 million visitors.

"As millions of Americans travel to Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our great country, Montana is proud to join this once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our leading industries, state history, and treasured landscapes," Gov. Gianforte said. "Visitors of the Great American State Fair will experience the very best of the Treasure State and we hope they will be inspired to plan a visit in the future."

Photo of the Montana exhibit at the Great American State Fair

"We are excited to showcase Montana's rich history for a national audience at the Great American State Fair," said Marta Bertoglio, director for the Montana Department of Commerce. "Montana has so much to offer every type of visitor, whether you're a history lover or outdoor enthusiast, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows us to expand awareness of Montana as a top destination and inspire travelers to plan their road trip here."

The Montana exhibition is designed to be a self-guided journey across Montana, told through large-scale scenic elements built by a local Montana woodworker. It opens deep in the badlands of eastern Montana at Makoshika State Park, where hoodoo sculptures tower overhead and a dinosaur dig station puts real fossil history within arm's reach, spotlighting Montana's reputation as one of the world's great dinosaur fossil hunting grounds.

Visitors will then move "west" through two more zones. First is a central Montana area, where wheat crops and a replica headframe represent Montana's agriculture and mining industries. Then visitors will arrive at the western mountains - complete with a campsite area and layered mountain silhouette backdrop - that put Montana on the map as a world-class outdoor recreation destination.

Montanans from across the state, mainly educators, will staff the exhibit on-site, providing an added level of authenticity for visitors. Fair attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with resident experts at the exhibit, including a paleontologist from the Carter County Museum, and to sign up to receive curated road trip packs for future trip planning.

More information about the Great American State Fair can be viewed here. Learn more about Montana by going to visitmt.com/montana.

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