INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Fair has asked vendors not to sell or display Confederate flag merchandise at next month’s event.

WRTV reports the fair made the request in a letter sent to vendors this week.

Fair spokeswoman Lesley Gordon says the event “wants to be welcoming to all” by removing “objectionable material.” She says vendor contracts contain language that would allow the fair to prohibit the sale of such material.

Controversy has surrounded the flag since the shooting deaths of nine people last month in a predominantly black church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The fair opens Aug. 7.

NASCAR has also asked fans to not bring Confederate flags to events including Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.