Great American State Fair
the ferris wheel has 24 passenger cars, each of which is framed in white and red lights; fog obscures the dome of the Capitol Building, which is still visible in the background; in the foreground you can see the golden eagle atop a mock version of the
Jen Golbeck/AP

Illinois skipped the Great American State Fair; Peoria stepped in

As the United States marks its 250th birthday, the celebration has split into two: America250, the bipartisan effort Congress created in 2016, and Freedom 250, established by executive order from President Trump. The overlap has caused confusion — and some musicians backed out of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., saying they weren't told about its ties to the Trump administration.

Several states, including Illinois, declined to participate. But the 21st state will be represented after all — by the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Brian Mackey talks with museum president and CEO John Morris about how a downstate institution ended up filling in for Illinois, what visitors to its exhibit will see, and what it's like navigating a politically charged event. The Illinois exhibit is open through July 10 in Washington, D.C.

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