June 27, 2026
With a 110-foot (33.5-metre) Ferris wheel, a rodeo demonstration and an eye-popping array of junk food, "The Great American State Fair" opened on Washington's National Mall on Thursday to start a 16-day celebration of the country's 250th anniversary.
While the first couple of days drew sparse crowds, it remains unclear what the July 4th holiday week will bring. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Fox News on Saturday the Trump administration was planning the "greatest and biggest celebration of fireworks ever."
Much of the 1.5-mile (2.5-km) promenade linking the US Capitol with the towering Washington Monument has been fenced off for the event, which President Donald Trump kicked off on Wednesday night with a campaign-style rally organised after many of the performers who had been scheduled to appear dropped out, citing concerns about the event taking on a partisan tone.
"We are here to just celebrate America, a long journey that she has had," remarked Ashley, who said she was visiting from Ohio but declined to give her last name. "My kids have been wanting that aerial view from the Ferris wheel. They are excited."
