WASHINGTON, D.C. — Images of the Confederate flag were removed from the North Carolina booth at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on July 3, 2026. Event organizers removed the video display after discovering it was not approved.

A video captured by a Spectrum News reporter on July 3 showed TV screens inside the North Carolina booth displaying the Confederate flag. Organizers removed the video on the afternoon of July 3 after becoming aware of the issue. A spokesperson for the exhibit told Spectrum News 1 that the image was not approved.

A spokesperson for the exhibit said in a statement, "As soon as we were made aware, we immediately removed the video and began reviewing how it occurred." The spokesperson added, "Our focus remains on celebrating America's 250th birthday and North Carolina's role in our nation's history."

Mt. Olive Pickle Company, a North Carolina-based company, announced its withdrawal from the event on July 3, 2026. In a post on X, the company stated, "We were unaware that an image of the Confederate flag was included in a video as part of this exhibit, and we have withdrawn our participation." The company further stated, "Our company stands on values of human dignity, opportunity, and freedom."

A spokesperson for North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in a statement, "This display does not reflect the North Carolina that we love. America 250 is about unity and bringing our nation together. Glorifying this divisive symbol does the exact opposite." As of July 6, no Confederate flags were on display at the North Carolina booth; only the North Carolina state flag was visible.

The North Carolina booth was organized by private sponsors after the state chose not to participate in the event. Freedom 250, the public-private partnership hosting the fair, received initial design renderings for the booths that did not include the video displaying the Confederate flag. Organizers said they are reviewing how the image was included in the display. The Great American State Fair, which marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, began on June 25, 2026, and is scheduled to run through July 10, 2026.