Thin Crowds and Scorching Heat Plague State Fair
The Great American State Fair, promoted by President Donald Trump as the 'most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen,' has been met with disappointment and unbearable heat as the US marks its 250th anniversary. The event, featuring tented pavilions and marquees representing states and territories on the National Mall, saw sparse attendance earlier this week before a slight uptick on Friday.
Dave Forster, a 63-year-old self-described 'friggin' patriot' from Washington state, expressed his frustration to the Guardian. 'They've had how long? It's just a total disappointment,' he said, calling many of the state offerings 'sucked.'
Heat Illness and Injuries
Temperatures in Washington DC exceeded 100°F (37.8°C) amid a scorching blanket across much of the US. According to NBC Washington, more than a dozen people were treated for heat illness and injury at the state fair before it closed, with 11 people taken to the hospital. The heat forced a temporary closure of the event, with announcements instructing guests to head for the exits and promising reopening after 5pm.
Inside the Arkansas pavilion, a host offered cooling towels and fans as prizes to entrants, reading the room's need for relief. A mother waiting in line with her young family assured her son, 'After we get through this line, we're going to find air conditioning.'
Political Overtones and Sparse Offerings
Critics said the event had veered from patriotic celebration to partisan festival. Forster noted that some people 'took it to be political,' though he insisted it was 'not meant to be.' Officials in several states, including Oregon, declined to participate or invest significantly, calling the affair 'more partisan than initially presented.'
The California pavilion featured only a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge and a TV showing the state on Google Earth, prompting one woman to laugh and promptly exit. The North Carolina booth removed images of the Confederate flag after backlash.
Accidents and High Prices
The fair was hit by a series of negative headlines. A section of the main stage fell during rehearsals, narrowly missing a troupe of dancers. Food prices drew criticism, with turkey legs at $23 and 'red, white and blue' ice at $7.
Military Flyovers and Patriotic Sentiment
Friday's programming, themed 'Wings of Freedom,' featured military flyovers. James Bytner, from Virginia, said he came for the jets: 'That's why we came.' He praised the event as representing freedom.
Mixed Messages and Trump's Presence
Visitors scrawled messages on the walls of the Washington DC space, including 'America is back!!', 'Trump 2028', 'LETS ALL GET ALONG', 'FREE DC!', 'Release the Epstein Files', and 'No kings.' John, a visitor from Tampa, Florida, said the Fourth of July is about 'trying to find common ground, and celebrate in something that's bigger than us.'
Trump's mark was largely absent except for a model of a 250ft triumphal arch, dubbed 'Arc de Trump,' which provided shade for dozens of attendees. The president was scheduled to address the event on Saturday night, but John said listening to anyone was 'probably the very bottom of my list.'
