Extreme heat wreaked havoc on President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair, forcing a shutdown on Friday afternoon as temperatures soared near 100 degrees in Washington, D.C.
“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,” stated Freedom 250, the group managing the fair and events for America’s 250th anniversary.
Conditions reached a boiling point shortly after 1 p.m. ET, prompting urgent safety measures. “The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority,” organizers declared, promising a return at 5:00 p.m. for evening festivities.
Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin reported from the National Mall, describing the oppressive atmosphere. “Everyone is being asked to go to the exits,” he tweeted. “It is miserably hot and humid today, genuinely feels like a sauna when you step outside.”
Selina Wang, senior White House correspondent for ABC News, shared a video showing loudspeakers urging guests to “proceed to the nearest exit” across the deserted fairgrounds.
In a bid to salvage the evening, Freedom 250 announced complimentary water would be available as guests prepared for musical performances from opera singer Hugo Castillo, Grammy-winning music educator Mickey Smith Jr., and The Voice’s Grace Moody Miller.
However, nearly every major artist initially slated to perform at Freedom 250’s concert series — including Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Bret Michaels — pulled out, citing concerns over the event's political overtones.
Event organizers also planned the third night of the “Washington Monument Illumination” leading up to July 4. Visitors could witness an “18-minute projection-mapping presentation showcasing the people, places, moments, and ideals that have shaped the American story across nearly two and a half centuries.”
This shutdown marks yet another heat-related setback for the fair. On opening day last week, a power outage in the food hall caused ice cream to melt in the sweltering heat.
Inclement weather also forced organizers to cancel rapper Vanilla Ice’s performance just two hours before he was set to take the stage last Friday.
Low attendance has plagued the event as well. Kaitlan Collins, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, mocked Trump on Thursday while filming herself on the sparsely populated fairgrounds.
“For a president who often fixates on crowd size, so far the fair on Washington’s National Mall hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype,” Collins remarked during her broadcast.
Saturday promises more of the same scorching conditions as a heatwave grips 260 million people in the eastern U.S. Temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees during Freedom 250’s “Salute to America” event featuring musical performances and military flyovers starting at 1 p.m.
Event organizers urged visitors to utilize free hydration stations and seek indoor air conditioning at pavilions and booths. Medical units are also stationed on-site for any health emergencies.
"The safety and well-being of every guest remains our top priority as we celebrate this historic 250th Independence Day,” Freedom 250 emphasized.
In response to the extreme conditions, Freedom 250 coordinated with various agencies to adjust event timing and enhance cooling resources, water stations, and medical support across the grounds.
Trump plans to host what he calls the “most spectacular” rally shortly before 10 p.m., delaying the annual fireworks show by nearly two hours.
“By the way, on July 4th, it’s going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I’m gonna go and I’m gonna make a really long speech just to show that I can do anything,” Trump declared during a speech in North Dakota on Wednesday.
