Mt. Olive Pickle Company Pulls Out of Great American State Fair Over Confederate Flag
The Mt. Olive Pickle Company found itself in a pickle the other day — announcing they had withdrawn from the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. The pickle company discovered that a video displayed inside North Carolina’s pavilion included an image of the Confederate battle flag. And according to Mt. Olive, the flag was simply not kosher.
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The North Carolina-based company announced its decision in a public statement, saying it had agreed to participate only after being invited to help showcase the state during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“Mt. Olive Pickle Company was invited to participate in the North Carolina exhibit for the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th celebration. 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,” the company said.
The company said it had no prior knowledge that the Confederate flag appeared in the exhibit.
“We were unaware that an image of the Confederate flag was included in a video as part of this exhibit, and we have withdrawn our participation.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,” the statement continued.
According to local reports, the North Carolina pavilion was organized by private sponsors after the state government declined to participate because of the cost of the event. Photos of the exhibit surfaced late last week showing the Confederate flag as part of a video presentation. Organizers removed the video shortly after complaints were raised.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein condemned the display.
“This flag does not represent the North Carolina we love. America250 is about unity and bringing our nation together,” Stein said in a statement released through his office.
Lorie Khatod, a spokesperson who is serving as the state lead for the North Carolina pavilion at the fair, told the Washington Post in a statement that organizers “became aware of an unapproved image” on Friday.
“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,” she added.
According to multiple reports, organizers have said the Confederate flag image was not included in the original plans submitted for the North Carolina exhibit and are investigating how it came to be displayed.
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