Inside Michigan’s Hit Pavilion at the Controversial Great American State Fair (Plus a Robotic Arm!)

Washington —
Michigan’s pavilion at the controversial, Trump-backed Great American State Fair is one of the expo’s more popular and elaborate attractions.

Every U.S. state is represented at the event on the National Mall, but several opted out of making and staffing their own displays at the 16-day ode to the United States and its 250th birthday. Michigan is one of the states that did spin up an exhibition in the months since organizers began planning the fair.

“We’re really proud to be here,” said Nate Engle, a deputy director at Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Engle helped develop the exhibit and is overseeing its production throughout the event’s run.

The Great Lakes State showcase is situated inside a room roughly the size of a two-car garage. It features small displays dedicated to some of Michigan’s key economic and cultural drivers: agriculture, manufacturing, the auto industry and tourism.

Patrons process through the room in a circle, beginning with a mock cow-milking station to promote Michigan’s diverse agricultural sector. There are also free samples of Kellogg’s cereal and Michigan potato chips.

The tourism section includes a wall where attendees can place stickers on a map of Michigan indicating where they’re from, where they’ve been and where they would like to visit.

An automotive and manufacturing section includes some facts about Michigan’s signature auto industry, plus a robotic arm that — when fist-bumped — opens a chest full of lollipops.

“Michigan’s history and Michigan’s industry bring Michiganders together,” Engle told The Detroit News.

“That’s been evidenced by the number of Michiganders that have come through the booth and expressed so much pride at seeing agriculture, food, manufacturing, the auto industry and tourism represented here.”

The exhibit is a refuge from the scorching-hot holiday weather in Washington, which has strained the air-conditioning systems around the fairgrounds of the National Mall. Michigan and other states have needed to close their showcases at times to get malfunctioning coolers back online.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the event on July 4 ahead of what he has called the “largest fireworks show in history.”

Last year, Trump directed the creation of Freedom 250, a task force for semiquincentennial celebrations, including the Great American State Fair.

That body is separate from a pre-existing, nonpartisan commission established by Congress in 2016.