Letter: Maine should have participated in Great American Fair

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 3, 2026

Think of Maine’s abundant natural resources, from blueberries, apples, potatoes, lobsters and wood products to the great shipbuilding legacy. Every Mainer, regardless of party affiliation, can agree on the things that set our state apart from others. That’s why I was so dismayed that Maine was one of a few states opting out of the Great American Fair, the event celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall. There are times in life when we have to rise above the fray. What a missed opportunity for Maine. ~ Jane Atkinson Leifester,Turner