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By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT
Published: | Updated:
The Great American State Fair – the centerpiece of Donald Trump‘s celebration for the nation’s 250th birthday – has been closed due to extreme heat.
Independence Day weekend in Washington, DC, has been hamstrung by crippling heat near 100 degrees.
The fair, which is set up on the National Mall, a location famous for its wide grass lawns which notably lack any shade on the main promenade, announced around 1:00 pm ET that it would be shutting until 5:00pm ET.
‘Due to the heat, and in coordination with public safety officials, the Great American State Fair will be temporarily closed until 5:00 p.m. today,’ the event’s organizer, Freedom 250, said in a statement.
‘The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority. Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evenings festivities.’
‘Event postponed,’ read signs at the fair.
Event workers reportedly were asking attendees to head for the exits due to the postponement.
Emergency service workers were spotted at the fair treating individuals for what appeared to be heat-related symptoms.
People walk past a sign announcing the temporary closure of The Great American State Fair due to heat on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 3, 2026.
A woman is treated by DC Fire and EMS after collapsing while standing in line for the Ferris Wheel during the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on July 03, 2026, in Washington, DC. Many Fourth of July festivities have been shortened and some are facing cancellations amid an extreme, multi-day heat wave bringing dangerous triple digit temperatures to much of the eastern United States
A girl cools off during extreme heat in the Washington region as The Great American State Fair is temporarily closed due to heat
Families huddled in the scant amount of shade offered by kiosks lining the National Mall’s lawns as others sheltered inside air conditioned rooms.
Youngsters were even photographed pouring bottled water over their heads to stave off the extreme heat.
US military jets and bombers thrilled spectators on the National Mall with low flyovers and the thundering booms of their engines before the event was postponed.
Don Jr and his new bride Bettina Trump were spotted walking through the event holding hands. Tiffany Trump and her husband MichaelBoulos were also spotted making their rounds at the fair.
The sweltering heat in Washington and high levels of humidity make it challenging for even the most fit, heat-resistant individuals to stay outside for long.
The forcasted high in Washington for Friday is up to 102 degrees, with some forcasts expecting it could reach as high as 103.
Thursday was a record-breaking day in the district for heat when it hit 102 defrees, the hottest July 2 in DC since 1898.
Temperatures are expected to remain elevated through the weekend, potentially roiling the White House’s plans for Trump to deliver an speech on Saturday evening.
Donald Trump Jr walks with his wife Bettina Trump as they visit the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on July 3
Attendees wait in the limited shade to visit one of the exhibitions during The Great American State Fair
An attendee watches as a B1 bomber flies over the National Mall during an airshow
Trump is currently scheduled to begin giving remarks celebrating Independence Day on the National Mall at 9:45 pm ET.
Though the address will come after sunset, the temperatures are still expected to hover around the 90s at that time, potentally causing discomfort to guests.