The Great American State Fair kicked off Wednesday, June 24 on the National Mall with military flyovers and a speech from President Donald Trump, but many of the initially advertised star performers did not show. By opening night, the program leaned into patri
When President Donald Trump walked on stage around 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 24, the Great American State Fair already carried a different mood than the one originally promised.
The 16-day event kicked off on the National Mall with military flyovers, patriotic performances, and remarks from Trump. But the opening night scene also reflected a notable absence: most of the star-studded lineup initially advertised for the fair had dropped out. leaving a scaled-back program that leaned heavily on political messaging and patriotic displays.
The fair is part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration and is backed by Freedom 250. It was initially billed as a major music festival—an image the event struggled to maintain by opening night.
Martina McBride. C+C Music Factory. Vanilla Ice. Milli Vanilli. Young MC. The Commodores. Morris Day and The Time. Flo Rida. and Bret Michaels had been included in the originally promoted lineup. By the time the kickoff arrived. nearly all had dropped out. leaving Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida as the remaining scheduled performers.
Instead of the promised pop and hip-hop slate. opening night featured country singer Lee Greenwood performing “God Bless the USA. ” opera singer Christopher Macchio. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. and the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, sang the national anthem.
Trump used his time on stage to frame the fair’s tone with remarks about major issues facing the country and about construction projects in Washington, D.C.
He asserted that gas prices could fall to $2.50 a gallon as peace negotiations with Iranian officials continue and the Iran war winds down. He also suggested the possibility of further action in the region. saying. “I guess we have other things in store. ” before adding. “But we don’t want to get carried away.”.
Trump also claimed, without evidence, that ongoing issues at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were caused by “vandals.” Construction at the site is battling algae blooms and peeling paint. Trump said the landmark would soon “be looking as beautiful as it looked two weeks ago.”
Outside the spotlight, the audience brought a sense of travel and anticipation that organizers seemed determined to keep intact. Attendees gathered near the Washington Monument, with people traveling from across the country. Lissa and Rex Kelley of Phoenix said they planned their trip to Washington around the fair. while Leslie Simek of Windsor. New York. described the gathering as a “beautiful thing” bringing people together to celebrate U.S. history.
The Pentagon-style pageantry didn’t stop with the stage. The event included multiple military flyovers, featuring aircraft such as the F-16 Viper Demo Team, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, and the F-35A Lightning II.
Freedom 250 said additional flyovers are scheduled for Thursday, June 25, including the B-52 Stratofortress, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and F-35C Lightning II.
Even the concession counters carried their own timing—especially around alcohol.
Alcohol was not initially sold at kickoff, but it was expected to be available for the duration of the festival beginning Thursday, June 25, through July 10. Beer, including Michelob Ultra, Kona Big Wave, Bud Light, and Budweiser, was visible behind the counters at concession stands.
Freedom 250 said in a statement that “alcohol and beverage availability vary by Freedom 250 event and venues,” but did not explain why alcohol was unavailable during the kickoff.
The organizers’ rollout faced follow-up questions as USA TODAY reached out to Washington’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration to confirm when liquor licenses take effect.
By the end of opening night. the contrast between what was promised and what arrived was impossible to miss: a fair marketed like a major music festival now unfolding with fewer headline performers. more patriotic programming. and a speech that put Trump’s policy claims—and his views on the capital—front and center.
Great American State Fair Trump rally National Mall Freedom 250 military flyovers Vanilla Ice Flo Rida Lee Greenwood gas prices Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool alcohol availability
So they cut all the stars and kept the speeches? Cool.
I saw Martina McBride was supposed to be there but then nothing… kinda feels like false advertising. Also why is an FBI director’s girlfriend singing like that’s normal? The whole thing is just politics in a mall.
Wait, so it’s called the Great American State Fair but it’s like… on the National Mall and mostly patriotic bands? And everyone backed out except Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida? Maybe they got scared of the crowd or something, idk. Gas prices at $2.50 sounds made up anyway, he always says numbers.
Half the lineup didn’t show and they act like it’s still a music festival 😂 It’s giving like “here’s your patriotic display, no you can’t have the actual artists.” Also Lee Greenwood and all those military bands… I mean I respect it but it’s not what they marketed. Milli Vanilli not showing is crazy to me, like wasn’t that already a whole scandal? Anyway, this is just Trump branding everything, even fairs.