Montana highlights industry, recreation and dinosaurs at Great American State Fair

Visitors to Washington, D.C., this week are able to stroll through the Great American State Fair, replete with booths representing America’s states and territories. 

A giant replica of a sauropod dinosaur rib cage greets visitors to the Montana booth, where they can take part in an interactive fossil dig, a nod to the state’s reputation as one of the world’s premier paleontology destinations. 

“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. Greg Gianforte said in a statement about Montana’s participation. 

Billed as a “world-class exposition and modern-day World’s Fair,” the event is part of Freedom250, the Trump administration’s celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary in D.C., including the UFC Freedom 250 fight featuring Montana’s Sean O’Malley, a “Sail 4th” gathering of tall ships across the eastern seaboard, and a full day of programming for July 4, culminating in a fireworks show that is billed as potentially world-record breaking. 

The Montana exhibit at the Great American State Fair, presented by the state Department of Commerce, was designed to carry visitors from the state’s eastern badlands in Makoshika State Park to the western mountains that anchor Montana’s outdoor recreation industry.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the self-guided “journey across Montana” includes hoodoo sculptures representing the Badlands and the dinosaur dig station; wheat crops and a replica headframe representing Montana’s agriculture and mining industries; and a full campsite set before silhouetted mountains. 

 “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.” 

According to the press announcement, the booth will be staffed by Montanans from across the state — mainly educators — 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. 

Not all states have a full presence at the Great American State Fair, with news reports citing both the perceived partisan nature of the event and the costs involved. 

A spokesperson the Department of Commerce told the Daily Montanan that funding for Montana’s participation comes from dollars allocated for tourism and economic development, and a final accounting won’t be available for several weeks. 

States Newsroom’s D.C. Bureau reported on Tuesday that the fair — which is taking place amid a heat wave that is expected to bring triple digit temperatures throughout the week — showed low attendance on a weekday afternoon. 

But crowds are expected to increase towards the weekend, with President Donald Trump holding a rally with a scheduled 45-minute speech on the National mall ahead of the fireworks display. 

The Great American State Fair will run through July 10. 

Editor’s note: this article has been updated with comment from the Department of Commerce.