Confederate flag fuels fresh controversy over NC at national ‘State Fair’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Private groups and businesses funded a North Carolina booth after the state withdrew.
- Multiple monitors in the booth showed a split-screen of the NC and Confederate flags.
- Organizers said they removed the unapproved image after they were made aware of it.
Despite North Carolina announcing the state would not participate in the Great American State Fair in DC this summer, private organizations and businesses stepped up to fund and design a booth for North Carolina at the 16-day celebration of America’s 250th birthday after all.
When the fair opened late last week, images of said booth began circulating on social media, posted first by Spectrum News’ Reuben Jones.
Some were shocked by what they saw.
Multiple TV monitors inside the booth featured a split-screen view featuring part of the North Carolina state flag on the left, and the notorious X-shape of the Confederate flag on the right. The Confederate flag has never been an element in the flag of North Carolina, even during the Civil War.
Now, that controversial imagery is removed from the booth. That’s according to volunteer organizer Lorie Khatod, a strategic consultant and former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina.
“On Friday, we became aware of an unapproved image in a video displayed inside the North Carolina Pavilion," Khatod said in a statement to multiple news outlets. “As soon as we were made aware, we immediately removed the video and began reviewing how it occurred. Our focus remains on celebrating America’s 250th birthday and North Carolina’s role in our nation’s history.”
Mt. Olive Pickles, one of the businesses that chose to sponsor the booth, announced on social media it would be withdrawing its support in light of the controversy.
“We are proud of our North Carolina roots, and we agreed to be a part of an exhibit, as presented to us, that would represent the best of our great state,” Mt. Olive wrote in a post on X on Friday. “We were unaware that an image of the Confederate flag was included in a video as part of this exhibit, and we have withdrawn our participation. Our company stands on values of human dignity, opportunity, and freedom.”
Other sponsors of the booth include Richard Childress Racing, a racing car organization, and Spevco, a vehicle manufacturing company. Neither has made a public comment or responded to questions from The News & Observer about the presence of the Confederate flag.
When he saw the imagery in the booth, N.C. Gov. Josh Stein — whose office was part of the decision to bow out of the State Fair in the first place, citing budget constraints — voiced his outrage to Spectrum News.
“This display does not reflect the North Carolina that we love,” his office said. “America 250 is about unity and bringing our nation together. Glorifying this divisive confederate symbol does the exact opposite. We demand the organizers stop dishonoring the flag of North Carolina.”
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 1:28 PM.
