WASHINGTON — A life-size cutout of Gov. Kay Ivey, surrounded by pictures of state landmarks, greets visitors to “Sweet Home Alabama” at the Great American State Fair in Washington.
Nestled in one of the long, white portable buildings dotting the National Mall for America’s 250th celebration, Alabama’s pavilion spotlights “where tradition meets innovation.”
Scenes from around Alabama cover the booth’s temporary walls, featuring the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and Gulf Shores, among other Alabama classics like Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. Easels holding smaller posters highlight the state’s parks, industries and history.
A look inside Alabama’s booth at the Great American State Fair, complete with a cutout of Gov. Kay Ivey. #ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/5in8u7B0eq
— Alex Angle (@alexangle_) June 29, 2026
If there was any question about who sponsored Alabama’s pavilion, look no further than the left corner, where a cutout of Ivey proudly smiling stands tall. Though one visitor on Monday asked, “Who is that?”
“From agricultural heritage to pivotal moments in the civil rights movement, Alabama has redefined liberty and equality in America,” Ivey said in a statement. “Our pavilion invites visitors to experience the notable people and milestones that have shaped our state and our nation, and I am grateful to President Trump for inviting the states to be part of the Great American State Fair.”
The Alabama Tourism Department is manning the pavilion, touting the places that make the southern state unique, alongside interns from Alabama’s congressional offices sitting at the booth’s desk during the week.
On Monday, Alabama had a steady flow of visitors milling about the booth, getting their replica passports stamped, and grabbing stickers. Other states had more extensive displays, which drew lines outside the door, such as a replica Beg Tex in the Texas booth and free caramel popcorn from Tennessee, luring patrons inside their small section of the fair.
Each state and territory is represented at the fair, though some states opted not to participate in the event put on by the nonprofit Freedom 250, which is aligned with President Donald Trump.
Those states’ booths, such as Maine and Connecticut, were quite sparse, with two rocking chairs placed in the middle of an empty room with the state’s name featured on the temporary walls. But some volunteers, who were not from those states, lent a hand at those booths to ensure visitors could fill their passports with stamps from all 50 states and territories.
The National Mall event has all the trappings of a traditional fair, complete with a large Ferris wheel, rodeo, live animals and ice-cold lemonade.
It also includes a smaller replica of the controversial arch that Trump wants to build near Arlington National Cemetery. Federal agencies are also represented at the fair, with the Department of War garnering the biggest crowd.
The temporary nature of the fair was apparent everywhere, from the white neoclassical buildings with columns that seemed to float and nearly vacant food booths lacking the promised offerings.
During a Monday afternoon, visitors breezed through security with little to no wait and did not have to fight massive crowds to explore the fair’s experiences honoring 250 years of history.
The Great American State Fair is free to visit and will run through July 10 on the National Mall, with each day honoring a new theme.