Bret Michaels, others drop out of Great American State Fair, a celebration of America’s 250th

More artists are pulling out of the Great American State Fair, a Washington, D.C., concert series tied to America’s 250th anniversary, after organizers released the first lineup this week, according to Fox News. The event is scheduled for the National Mall from Thursday, June 25, through Friday, July 10, and the changes have left the bill in flux, CBS News reports.

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Artists leave after lineup release

Bret Michaels said he would not take part, saying the event had become “much more divisive” and raising safety concerns, according to CBS News. Additionally, Morris Day said he will not perform, posting “It’s A No For Me” on Facebook. Young MC also said he would not appear, writing, “I HAVE INFORMED MY AGENTS THAT I WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE FREEDOM 250 EVENT,” and said the show had political involvement he had not been told about, per CBS News.

The Commodores said on social media that they “will not be performing at the Great American State Fair,” adding, “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.” 

Martina McBride said she would not perform after saying she was told the event was nonpartisan and that the description “turned out to be misleading,” according to Fox News.

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Who still plans to appear

Vanilla Ice remains contracted to perform, his management told CBS News, and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli said he will appear because he wants to “entertain and unite people.”

Freedom 250, the nonprofit behind the event, said it is a bipartisan, nonpartisan effort aimed at uniting Americans for the nation’s 250th anniversary, according to CBS. The organization said the Great American State Fair will feature exhibits, showcases and cultural programming stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.