Jul 1, 2026 – 4.00pmWashington | Fifty years ago, as an 18-year-old, Rich Hogan celebrated the 200th anniversary of the United States’ founding by watching fireworks burst above the National Mall in Washington.On Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), the building trades teacher from nearby Virginia was back with his family at the same location, taking in the Great American State Fair. “It’s a moment of celebration,” he says. “It’s exciting; we’re having a good time.”Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Trump’s state fair was like a dull trade show. The patriots loved it
The event is getting mercilessly mocked online for its sparse crowds, low-energy exhibitions and logistical dramas, but its unapologetic patriotism is a draw for some.
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