Freedom 250 Announces 16-Day 'Great American State Fair' on National Mall

The celebration will feature a Ferris wheel, the Smithsonian's National Carousel, and dozens of hands-on activations showcasing all 56 U.S. states and territories.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:51pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of various iconic American fair elements like a Ferris wheel and carousel, repeated in a tight grid pattern and rendered in a vibrant, unnatural color palette with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the modern pop art celebration of American culture and tradition.The Great American State Fair on the National Mall will bring together the diverse character and shared purpose of the nation, showcasing the ingenuity, perseverance, and pride that define America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.Washington Today

Freedom 250 announced that the 'Great American State Fair' is coming to the National Mall for 16 days in June and July as part of America's 250th birthday celebration. The fair will feature a Ferris wheel, the Smithsonian's National Carousel, and dozens of hands-on company-sponsored activations representing all 56 U.S. states and territories.

Why it matters

The Great American State Fair aims to bring together the diverse character and shared purpose of the nation, showcasing the ingenuity, perseverance, and pride that define America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.

The details

The Great American State Fair will run on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10, featuring a unique event every day. Along with the 56 states and territories, iconic American brands will also showcase exhibits, including a rendering of the forthcoming Triumphal Arch that President Donald Trump is set to have built at Memorial Circle.

  • The Great American State Fair will run from June 25 to July 10, 2026.
  • The fair will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m. to midnight on Independence Day.

The players

Freedom 250

The organization behind the Great American State Fair and the celebration of America's 250th birthday.

Keith Krach

The CEO of Freedom 250.

Doug Burgum

The Secretary of the Interior, who said the National Mall will 'serve as the stage for telling our nation's story.'

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What they’re saying

“Bound together by a shared promise, our nation is a union of diverse states and territories — distinct in character, united in purpose, and driven by the enduring pursuit of freedom.”

— Keith Krach, CEO, Freedom 250

“Thanks to President Donald J. Trump's leadership, the Great American State Fair will bring all 56 states and territories together in one place, showcasing the people, landscapes, and traditions that define this country.”

— Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior

What’s next

The Great American State Fair will open to the public on June 25, 2026, and run for 16 days through July 10, 2026.

The takeaway

The Great American State Fair aims to celebrate the diversity and unity of the United States as it marks the nation's 250th anniversary, bringing together all 56 states and territories in a grand showcase of American ingenuity, perseverance, and pride.