5 things to know about the ‘Great American State Fair’

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The ‘Great American State Fair’ will open to the public with fanfare Thursday morning against a backdrop of partisan fighting and public fallouts over the celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.

The 16-day fair, which boasts more than 150 exhibits featuring U.S. history, will kick off with a speech from President Trump on Wednesday evening.

Rows of white booths with flags for each U.S. state, territory and government agency represented at this event lined the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the fair’s opening. A giant Ferris wheel and a scaled-down version of the president’s proposed Triumphal Arch were also stationed directly in front of the Washington Monument.

Here’s what you need to know about the multiweek event:

There’s going to be a rodeo

The “American Heartland Arena” on the National Mall will host daily events like trick roping, Wild West performances and cattle drives.

Freedom 250, the fair’s organizer, said this attraction will serve as a “living historical experience,” rather than a traditional rodeo competition.

“Rodeo 250 is more than a western showcase; it’s a celebration of the values and traditions that helped build our nation,” the organization’s chief executive, Keith Krach, said in a statement earlier this month. “As we commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to bring this uniquely American experience to the National Mall and share an important chapter of our nation’s story with visitors from across the country and around the world.”

‘MAHA Mondays’

Each day of the fair will center around a different programming theme in an effort to highlight American tradition and offer projections about the country’s next 250 years.

Both Mondays of the 16-day event will feature programming related to the controversial “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. These “MAHA Mondays” focus on promoting well-being and innovation in the health sector, according to Freedom 250.

Other daily themes include an appreciation day for veterans and service members as well as a focus on “Family Life” and “Faith, Values, and Inspiration.”

Politics loom

The fair has been the target of criticism from Democratic state leaders and legislators, particularly over the president’s involvement in several of these events.

In addition to his speech on Wednesday evening, Trump will give remarks at Freedom 250’s grand opening ceremony for former President Theodore Roosevelt’s library next month and hold a rally ahead of the Independence Day fireworks show on the National Mall.

Trump teased his appearance at the fair’s opening ceremony in a Truth Social post on Wednesday morning.

“Big Rally on the National Mall. Fantastic Music!!! MAGA!!! FUN!!!” the president wrote.

Seven Democrat-led states said they were opting out of the fair, with some expressing concerns that the event was shaping up to be more partisan than advertised.

Freedom 250, the nonprofit funding arm for the White House’s anniversary planning commission, has maintained that these celebrations are nonpartisan and open to all Americans.

Regardless of direct participation from these state governments, the organization said that all 50 states and six U.S. territories will be represented on the mall, whether through companies or tourism boards.

Airspace closures for flyovers

Military flyovers on multiple days of the fair are expected to impact flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Earlier this month, Freedom 250 announced an “aerial centerpiece” for the fair’s opening festivities on Wednesday and Thursday, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Viper Demo Team, B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, F-35 Lightning II, F-15 Eagle and other aircraft.

Flights will also be impacted during the “Military Appreciation Day” on June 28, Independence Day rehearsals and celebrations on July 3 and 4, and the fair’s closing ceremony flyover on July 10.

Some airlines have already adjusted flight schedules to accommodate these planned airspace closures, but temporary delays could still occur, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

There’s a concert, but not big names

After several artists scheduled to perform at the Great American State Fair dropped out after facing backlash over the event’s perceived partisanship, Trump announced that he would bring the “Number One Attraction” to the mall: himself.

In addition to the president’s speech, several smaller artists are still scheduled to perform.

Among this lineup is FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins. After critics raised concerns that this performance could violate federal ethics laws, Wilkins said on Wednesday she is not accepting payment for the “great honor” to perform at this event.

“I was invited to sing this anthem on my own accord, as I have been many other places throughout my career,” Wilkins wrote in a social media post.

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