Cape May County Represents New Jersey at Washington State Fair After Official State Declines Invitation

While New Jersey chose not to officially participate in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., the state still has a presence at the event thanks to Cape May County, which stepped in after the invitation was declined by the state government.

The 16-day fair, held near the White House as part of activities connected to America’s 250th birthday celebration, includes exhibits from states across the country. However, New Jersey is among a small group of states that decided not to send an official state delegation. No detailed public explanation has been provided by state officials for that decision.

Although the state government is absent from the event, visitors can still walk into a New Jersey-themed pavilion. Instead of representing the entire state through an official delegation, the exhibit highlights Cape May County and its tourism attractions.

The display welcomes visitors with two AI-generated images of George Washington enjoying popular Cape May experiences. One image shows him relaxing on a beach with a glass of lemonade, while another places him on a roller coaster surrounded by smiling children. The creative display has become one of the first things visitors notice when entering the pavilion.

According to those managing the exhibit, every part of the display was carefully selected to promote the area’s tourism. Visitors are offered traditional saltwater taffy from a long-established Wildwood business, while video presentations showcase beaches, boardwalks, and other attractions found throughout Cape May County. Organizers also prefer using the name “Jersey Cape” instead of the more commonly known “Jersey Shore” as part of their branding strategy.

The New Jersey exhibit came together after U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew encouraged Cape May County to participate when it became clear that the state government would not be attending the fair. The county accepted the opportunity and organized the pavilion, effectively becoming New Jersey’s only representative at the national event.

County Tourism Director Diane Wieland said the goal was to bring the feeling of the beach to Washington. One of the centerpiece attractions inside the pavilion is a large sand sculpture inspired by the Cape May shoreline. The artwork includes recognizable beach features such as a lifeguard chair, boardwalk railing, and jetty.

Because New Jersey regulations do not allow sand to be removed from the state’s beaches, organizers transported similar sand from Annapolis, Maryland, to complete the sculpture. Although the color differs slightly from Cape May’s natural sand, organizers said it was the closest match that would maintain its shape during the summer heat.

The sculpture was created by Brendan Schaffer, an art teacher from Wildwood Public Schools, along with a small team that spent four days building the display. During the fair, visitors have shown strong interest in the artwork, although organizers noted that some accidental damage occurred after people ignored requests not to touch the sculpture.

Inside the pavilion, county officials continue greeting visitors, answering questions, distributing promotional materials, and stamping commemorative “patriot passports” that many guests collect while visiting different state exhibits.

Kevin Lare, Cape May County’s administrator, said local officials have been rotating shifts throughout the fair to ensure the exhibit remains staffed each day. He described the county’s participation as an opportunity to proudly represent both Cape May County and New Jersey.

Attendance across the overall fair has reportedly been modest, but organizers of the New Jersey exhibit say the smaller crowds have still allowed them to interact directly with visitors interested in learning more about the region.

Outside the New Jersey pavilion, representatives from other participating states have also been meeting visitors and promoting tourism. However, New Jersey’s exhibit remains unique because it is being managed by a single county rather than an official statewide delegation.

Questions remain about why New Jersey declined the invitation to officially participate. A spokesperson for Governor Mikie Sherrill referred questions to Choose New Jersey, the nonprofit organization responsible for promoting the state as a destination for business and tourism. According to the report, the organization did not respond to requests for comment regarding the state’s absence.

Despite the lack of an official state presence, Cape May County has continued welcoming visitors throughout the event. Organizers say their focus has remained on showcasing the area’s beaches, attractions, and hospitality rather than engaging in political debate.

As the fair continues, the Cape May County team remains the face of New Jersey in Washington, introducing thousands of visitors to one of the Garden State’s best-known coastal destinations through exhibits, local traditions, and tourism displays.

Sources

• NJ.com
• Official Office of the Governor of New Jersey
• Choose New Jersey
• U.S. House of Representatives – Office of Rep. Jeff Van Drew