Trump Plans Massive 'State Fair' on National Mall for 250th Anniversary

Livestock competitions, rodeo events, and a 110-foot Ferris wheel are coming to the National Mall this summer as part of a White House-backed celebration.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:07am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting the motion and energy of a state fair, with a Ferris wheel, livestock, and other attractions rendered in bold, clashing colors that convey the spectacle and controversy of the planned event on the National Mall.The planned 'Great American State Fair' on the National Mall aims to transform the iconic civic space into a sprawling celebration of American culture and heritage, but its partisan origins and unconventional use of the space have sparked controversy.Washington Today

Organizers have unveiled plans for a massive two-week 'Great American State Fair' festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this summer to honor the nation's 250th anniversary. The event, backed by the White House and organized by the nonprofit group Freedom 250, will transform the iconic civic space with livestock competitions, rodeo events, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, and immersive state pavilions.

Why it matters

The National Mall is one of the country's most recognizable public spaces, so transforming it into a large-scale state fair-style celebration is a controversial move that raises questions about the appropriate use of this hallowed ground. The event also highlights the political divisions around how to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary, with the White House-backed Freedom 250 group operating separately from the nonpartisan America250 commission created by Congress.

The details

The 16-day 'Great American State Fair' will feature exhibits from all 50 states and 6 territories, as well as 5 national pavilions centered around themes like 'Made in America' and 'American Innovates'. Semi-permanent 'Beaux-Arts' style structures will house the exhibits, which will line the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. Other attractions will include a 110-foot Ferris wheel, a refurbished carousel, livestock competitions, and rodeo events like barrel racing.

  • The fair will run for two weeks, from Thursday, June 25 through Friday, July 10, 2026.
  • Congress allocated $150 million in 2025 to the Department of the Interior to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary, with $100 million going to the White House-backed Freedom 250 group.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who created the Freedom 250 nonprofit group to carry out his vision for the country's 250th anniversary celebration.

Doug Burgum

The Interior Secretary who said the event would allow the National Mall to 'serve as the stage for telling our nation's story'.

Freedom 250

The nonprofit group created by former President Trump to organize the 'Great American State Fair' on the National Mall.

America250

The nonpartisan commission created by Congress to plan the signature celebration for the country's 250th anniversary.

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What they’re saying

“The event would allow the mall to 'serve as the stage for telling our nation's story'.”

— Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary

What’s next

Congress will likely hold hearings to examine the plans for the 'Great American State Fair' and how the $100 million in federal funding is being used by the Freedom 250 group.

The takeaway

The plan to transform the National Mall into a large-scale state fair-style celebration for the country's 250th anniversary is a politically charged move that highlights the divisions over how to properly commemorate this milestone. While the event aims to showcase American culture and heritage, the use of this iconic civic space and the involvement of the former president's group raise concerns about the appropriate and nonpartisan nature of the festivities.