Traitorous TDS? SOS Amore Bars RI’s Participation in the Great American State Fair

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As one of the original 13 colonies and state signatories to the 1776 Declaration of Independence, Secretary of State Greg Amore and other Rhode Island officials, apparently suffering from TDS, have chosen to bar  our state from participation in the Great American State Fair, celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s birth.

The 16-day event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (June 25–July 10, 2026), organized by Freedom 250 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, is featuring state pavilions, exhibits, food, and attractions from all but a handful of states. 

Despite a $15,000,000,000 (billion) state budget, officials from the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office and the RI250 Commission cited financial and staffing limitations. They turned down the invitation to set up a state pavilion or direct involvement.

The RI250 Commission declined the invitation, citing budget constraints and a focus on local events. The Commission (Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission) is overseen by the Rhode Island Department of State (Office of the Secretary of State). Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore serves as the Chairperson of the RI250 Commission.

The commission’s program coordinator and many operations are housed within or directly supported by the Department of State. Official press releases and events are routinely issued jointly under the “RI Department of State” and RI250 Commission.

Rhode Islanders can express their disdain for the Commission’s un-patriotic decision contacting them at ri250@sos.ri.gov, which routes through the Secretary of State’s office.

The RI250 Commission was established by a joint resolution of the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2021 as a 30-member body with appointees from various entities, but its administrative home and leadership are under the Department of State. This setup aligns with the department’s broader role in civic education, historical preservation, and public records.

Rhode Island joins short list of states opting out, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington. Instead, Rhode Island claims it is focusing on its own in-state semiquincentennial (RI250) events and local celebrations during that period.
Concurrently, 2026 also represents the 390th anniversary of the official founding of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations by Roger Williams, after being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in The Ocean State Current, including text, graphics, images, and information are solely those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the views and opinions of The Current, the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity, or its members or staff. The Current cannot be held responsible for information posted or provided by third-party sources. Readers are encouraged to fact check any information on this web site with other sources.

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