US pickle company pulls out of DC state fair over Confederate flag

Mt Olive Pickle Company, a leading US pickle brand based in eastern North Carolina, has withdrawn from the Great American State Fair in Washington DC after a video displayed in the state's booth included a Confederate flag.

The company, which calls itself the "#1 bestselling brand of pickles, peppers and relishes in the US," told local news outlet WNCT that it had not been aware the flag would appear in a video that was part of North Carolina's exhibit for America's 250th anniversary celebration.

"Mt Olive Pickle Company was invited to participate in the North Carolina exhibit for the Great American State Fair ... as part of America's 250th celebration," the company said. "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. Our company stands on values of human dignity, opportunity, and freedom."

Vehicle manufacturer Spevco, also a participant in the booth, said the 45-minute video, published on YouTube, was about state history and showed the flag for only a few seconds. Spevco stated it did not create, approve, or select the video. The video was subsequently removed from the booth.

The Confederate battle flag has been co-opted by white supremacist groups and is associated with the pro-slavery side of the US Civil War.

The Great American State Fair, a 16-day event linked to the Trump administration and Republican allies, has faced other issues, including low attendance and extreme heat that hospitalized at least seven people. At least seven Democratic-governed states declined to participate, mostly citing budget or scheduling constraints. North Carolina was one of the states that initially declined but was represented thanks to private company funding.

The fair's schedule was adjusted due to heat, with opening pushed back from 10am to noon on Saturday. Other celebrations in Virginia, Maryland, and parades in Philadelphia and DC were also affected.

Ironically, Confederate soldiers were issued pickles and other pickled vegetables as rations to prevent scurvy.