Trump’s Great American State Fair opens with melted ice cream, empty booths
WASHINGTON – Great American State Fair Celebrations continue on the National Mall 250th birthday of the United States of America. But it’s not all such a great start.
The event quickly faced problems such as power outages, ice cream melting, and lack of representation from states that refused to send delegations.
While organizers assured visitors that every part of the country would be represented, at least 10 states and territories refused to participate; Many cited the price tag of sending staff to the 16-day event as a reason for withdrawing.
Booths in Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands featured only backdrops, chairs or carpeting.
But other states did their best for the sesquicentennial. The Texas booth allowed visitors to take photos with the Alamo, play with an interactive display for the long-running “Austin City Limits” musical series and sit inside a spaceship. By the way, the Nevada booth was Las Vegas themed. The stand in California offered attendees the opportunity to enter a raffle for a free vacation.
USA TODAY visited the fair on Friday, June 26. Here’s what caught our attention and what participants said.
Visitors react to states refusing to participate
While Freedom 250 organizers assured visitors that every state would be represented, some of the booths from states that declined to participate left visitors wanting more.
William Connor, 49, of Eldersburg, Maryland, said he was surprised that the states refused to participate.
“Celebrating 250 years only happens once, so they kind of missed out,” he said. “If they came and saw what it was like here, it’s not a Trump festival, it’s basically celebrating America.”
Although Massachusetts refused to send staff, Donna, 72, a retired teacher from Western Massachusetts who asked to use only her first name, decided to take matters into her own hands. She drove nine hours from home, bringing cans of maple syrup and children’s coloring books from the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association to volunteer at the state booth. He told USA TODAY that he is the only volunteer in his state and works every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.
“The idea didn’t occur to me for a few days,” he said. “Then I decided, ‘Wow, I can get there myself.'”
Continuing setbacks
Visitors walk through the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on June 25, 2026.
In addition to empty stands, there were also electrical problems at the event. On Thursday, June 25, attendees reported problems with the generator straining the Ferris wheel, one of the fair’s main attractions. to close for about two hours. A day later, workers at the cafeteria were still waiting for a shipment of ice cream after all the ice cream flavors had melted due to ongoing electrical problems.
Some food options, such as boneless wings, were also unavailable during part of the lunch service.
Several other attractions were also out of service on Friday. The West Virginia booth, which featured a driving simulator that allowed visitors to compete on both their driving skills and how well they sang John Denver’s 1971 hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” was closed due to air conditioning problems. Some of the screens on National Geographic were also not working.
Highlights of the fair
Despite the ongoing problems, a small number of visitors entertained themselves with interactive exhibits, such as dressing up as former President George Washington or talking to an actress portraying Betsy Ross. The opened Budweiser bar served as an oasis for those who wanted to beat Washington’s summer heat.
Michelle and Paul Catan, in their 60s, from Oneonta, New York, take a photo with a Las Vegas sign at a Nevada tent.
Michelle Catan said she and her husband, Paul, both in their 60s, were traveling from Oneonta, New York, to D.C. for a “once-in-a-lifetime event.”
The couple, who got married in Las Vegas in 1998, had the pleasure of taking a photo with a replica of the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign at the Nevada stand.
“I love going to each of these states and seeing what they have,” Michelle Catan said. “We are very lucky to live in this country.”
Participants had less time than expected if they wanted to visit each state on Friday. The fair closed a few hours early due to rain.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Trump’s Great American State Fair opens with melted ice cream and empty booths
