Trump headlines – President Donald Trump will headline the opening rally of the 16-day “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall Wednesday night, after a lineup of announced artists dropped out. The start of the event also triggers emergency no-parking zones, road closur
Washington is preparing for a high-profile opening night — and the traffic disruptions that come with it.
President Donald Trump is set to headline the Wednesday-night kickoff of the 16-day “Great American State Fair. ” described by organizers as a “Rally to end all Rallies.” The event is scheduled to begin after the fair itself follows on the National Mall. highlighting all 50 states and six territories through exhibits and state pavilions.
The kickoff is being hosted by “Freedom 250. ” a White House-led organization separate from the congressionally chartered commission “America 250.” In the run-up to the rally. several artists announced as headliners dropped out — including Martina McBride. The Commodores and Bret Michaels. Shortly after the musicians stepped back. Trump said he would headline the opening rally with Lee Greenwood and the U.S. Army Band.
In a video posted to social media, Trump said, “It’s our music, our playlist. We don’t have a lot of people boring you with songs that you don’t want to hear. We have the hottest people, the hottest everything. It’s going to be one of the best rallies we’ve ever done.”
After the rally. the fair will continue on the National Mall. adding a Ferris wheel overlooking the grounds along with other carnival rides. Organizers say each day will have a programming theme. including Friday’s “Land and Prosperity. ” which honors ranching and agriculture. and next week’s “Horsepower of America. ” celebrating “the engines. the muscle. and the spirit that keeps this nation moving forward.”.
Freedom 250 is asking people to RSVP on its website for free tickets that will be available on a first-come. first-served basis. The fair is scheduled to open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Sunday through Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, staying open until midnight on the Fourth of July.
Even people who aren’t attending may be able to catch parts of the celebration from afar. The military will conduct numerous flyovers near the National Mall, starting Wednesday, June 24, and lasting through July 10.
The disruptions are already spelled out. Organizers expect both short-term and long-term closures related to the “Great American Fair.”
Wednesday night, emergency no-parking restrictions will be posted from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. along Constitution Avenue from 15th Street to 7th Street NW. Vehicular traffic will be closed from approximately 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 14th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW, and on 12th Street Expressway.
For public safety, 7th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW may also be intermittently closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday.
Some closures tied to event construction will remain in place after the fair concludes on July 10. as organizers break down the event. Madison Drive from 3rd Street to 14th Street NW. Jefferson Drive from 3rd Street to 14th Street SW. 12th Street from Madison Drive to Constitution Avenue NW. and 12th Street from Jefferson Drive to Independence Avenue SW will stay closed after the fair ends.
From Wednesday through Sunday. July 11. additional emergency no-parking postings will cover 7th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW. 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW. Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street NW. and Independence Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street SW.
During the same Wednesday through Sunday. July 11 period. vehicular traffic closures will extend to 7th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW and 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW. Pedestrian traffic may move north and south, but people will be required to undergo security screening.
Between Thursday, June 25 and Friday, July 10, 14th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW, Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street NW, and Independence Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street SW may be closed intermittently for public safety.
D.C. police plan to post updates on the latest changes and delays on its x account.
The fair itself — with state pavilions. carnival rides. and a schedule that runs through the Fourth of July — is set to be a centerpiece on the National Mall. But Wednesday night’s opening rally. and the streets tied to it. will likely shape what many visitors and commuters can do long before they ever see the grounds.
Trump Great American State Fair Freedom 250 National Mall Rally to end all Rallies traffic restrictions road closures Washington DC Constitution Avenue 14th Street 12th Street Expressway