For Barry Lee Williams, a visitor to Washington, DC, the last day of President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair coincided with a literal religious experience.
At 81, Williams was among at least 190 people to be baptized over the past 16 days on the National Mall, as the fair, one of the centerpieces of the Trump administration’s events to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, has been taking place.
On Friday, the fair was winding to a close after weeks of scattered crowds, logistical setbacks and controversy over its offerings. But a surprising beneficiary of the event was a religious prayer ministry which was not a part of the official programming at all.
David’s Tent, a 24/7 musical prayer ministry, had operated on the grounds of the capital’s landmark since before the president held a modestly attended June 25 rally to kick off what was meant to be a modern-day World’s Fair.
Speaking after her husband’s baptism beneath the tent, Sue Williams told CNN: “Oh, this is wonderful. The setting is wonderful, and people keep on worshiping.”
