Topline<\/p>\n
The Great American State Fair kicked off its 16-day run this week on the National Mall in Washington, though the Trump-backed event marking the United States’ 250th birthday has faced a slow start amid sparse crowds, power outages and controversy over the appearance of the Confederate flag.<\/p>\n
An aerial view of the National Mall on the first day of the \u201cGreat American State Fair\u201d on June 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n
Photo by Win McNamee\/Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
Crowds arrived in small numbers, according to multiple<\/a> outlets<\/a>, with The Washington Post reporting the opening-day crowds were \u201crelatively sparse compared with past National Mall events.\u201d<\/p>\n Power outages impacted some of the fair\u2019s offerings, resulting in melted ice cream, disruptions to the 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel and a shut down of West Virginia’s booth, which experienced air conditioning issues, USA Today<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Freedom 250 spokesperson Julia Friedland acknowledged the electrical issues to the Post, saying the fair experienced \u201cpower hiccups.\u201d<\/p>\n The fair features booths for all 50 U.S. states, though not all booths will be manned throughout the celebration, as states including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon and Pennsylvania opted out<\/a> of sending official representatives over budget constraints or scheduling issues.<\/p>\n North Carolina\u2019s exhibit, which is backed by private sponsors, garnered attention Friday after an \u201cunapproved image\u201d of the Confederate flag was displayed, a spokesperson for the North Carolina booth told Spectrum News<\/a>, which noted the governor\u2019s office said in a statement it demanded \u201cthe organizers stop dishonoring the flag of North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s installment of the fair was shuttered hours early by rain, according to USA Today, with Saturday\u2019s programming possibly in jeopardy as showers are \u201clikely\u201d alongside a \u201cpossible\u201d thunderstorm after 4 p.m. EDT, the National Weather Service<\/a> said.<\/p>\n The fair\u2018s programming includes rodeo and music performances, movie screenings, photo opportunities and a variety of food.<\/p>\n The Freedom 250 Ferris Wheel and the U.S. Capitol.<\/p>\n AP Photo\/Jen Golbeck<\/p>\n People watch Rodeo 250 at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.<\/p>\n AP Photo\/Jen Golbeck<\/p>\n People leave the Great American State Fair on the National Mall after it was evacuated due to thunderstorms, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington.<\/p>\n AP Photo\/Jen GolbeckSURPRISING FACT<\/p>\n Observers noted Maine\u2019s unmanned booth was among the most muted, with Boston Globe reporter Sam Brodey tweeting: \u201cMaine did not send any delegation, so there\u2019s just an empty room with some chairs and walls with lobster and Maine facts.\u201d <\/p>\n CHIEF CRITICS<\/p>\n Photos and video of the small crowds, a lack of seating and near empty food booths were widely mocked<\/a> on social media<\/a>, while the Daily Beast<\/a> called the event “virtually deserted\u201d and The Atlantic<\/a> noted in a headline: \u201cThe Great American State Fair isn\u2019t very great.\u201d<\/p>\n Crucial Quote<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nice people, nice events, nice family events,\u201d Sharyn Bovat, an attendee, told the Associated Press<\/a>. \u201cHalf the country is divided with the other half. I wish they would create a USA 250 for all the people. I\u2019m tired of the politics.\u201d Bovat said a replica of the Trump\u2019s proposed Triumphal Arch gave the fair a political undertone and told the AP it \u201cmakes me think of Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n The fair is organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership created by the White House. The event, which will run until July 10 and is free to the public, kicked off Thursday with a speech from President Donald Trump. The president has claimed his speech garnered a live audience of 45,000 people, though estimates and posts from multiple<\/a> outlets<\/a> have disputed the number. Trump\u2019s speech worked as a replacement for a series of musical artists who were scheduled to perform at the fair but bowed out over concerns the event had become partisan. Country singer Martina McBride said in a statement she was initially asked to \u201cperform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.\u201d Poison frontman Bret Michaels said the fair \u201cevolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n