The 16-day celebration in Washington, D.C., will honor veterans, active-duty service members, military families and more than 1.2 million Americans who died in U.S. military conflicts since 1775.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Great American State Fair is underway in Washington, D.C., as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with Sunday’s programming dedicated to U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, their families and the more than 1.2 million Americans who have died in military conflicts since 1775.
The fair, which runs through July 10, spans 11 blocks of the National Mall and brings together states and territories for a large-scale showcase of American culture, food, music, history, innovation and civic life.
President Donald Trump opened the 16-day event Wednesday with remarks celebrating the country’s founding and future.
“There has never been anything like the United States of America, and together we are making it bigger and better and stronger and far more exceptional than ever before,” Trump said. “We have the strongest military on Earth. …We have the greatest culture on Earth.”
The event’s centerpiece is a 110-foot Ferris wheel, joined by a model of Trump’s proposed “triumphal arch” bearing the words “liberty and justice for all.” Organizers have framed the celebration as a national gathering designed to let families, veterans, tourists and visitors experience the traditions of every region of the country in one place.
The Great American State Fair draws from the long-running state fair tradition, expanding it into a national event for the semiquincentennial. Organizers say the fair will “showcase the very best of America through state pavilions, industry displays, family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, musical performances, military ensembles, spectacular flyovers, daily cultural programming.”
Each day of the fair is organized around a theme tied to America’s history, growth and values. Themes include “Engines of Enterprise” and “Family Life and Community Support Celebrate.”
Sunday’s Military Appreciation Day is expected to be one of the event’s major programs. The day will recognize active-duty troops, veterans and military families through ceremonies, tributes and special programming honoring service and sacrifice.
The military tribute comes as the country prepares for several major anniversary events around Independence Day. On July 3, “A Capitol Fourth: 250th weekend celebration” will air live on public television stations nationwide from the west lawn of the Capitol.
The show, scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern, will honor military heroes, their families and 250 years of service to the country. Country singer Trace Adkins is scheduled to debut his new song “American Made,” described as a tribute to patriotism and the ideals of America’s founding. The program will conclude with fireworks over George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
The Fourth of July celebration is also expected to draw national attention, with 850,000 fireworks planned across 10 platforms, including the Lincoln Memorial.
The Great American State Fair places the National Mall at the center of America’s 250th birthday celebration, combining entertainment, state and territorial exhibits, military recognition and patriotic programming. More information is available through the Freedom 250 website.
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