President Donald Trump said the Great American State Fair was “packed with happy people,” but a USA Today visit to the National Mall event on Monday found light crowds, short lines and plenty of open space.
Since opening June 25, the fair has drawn sparse crowds in its first days, though it remains unclear what the July 4th holiday weekend will bring. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Fox News on June 27 that the Trump administration was planning the “greatest and biggest celebration of fireworks ever.”
But on the ground, activity appeared limited. Lines to enter the fair, browse state booths and buy food were minimal. The longest wait was at the 110-foot Ferris wheel, and even that appeared typical for a standard attraction.
An axe throwing competition takes place at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 29.
Few crowds, lines at the fair
Small groups gathered for events Monday afternoon, including a wood-sawing contest near the rodeo and an acrobat performance, but crowd sizes remained modest.
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Social media videos suggest turnout has been uneven. In one clip shared by TMZ, actor Dean Cain can be heard saying, "There's tons of people here. It's a huge space, and it's just going to get more and more crowded as the week goes on," even as the camera showed a largely empty space.
USA Today has requested attendance figures from Freedom 250, a group tied to Task Force 250, a public-private partnership created by the White House to coordinate celebration of the U.S. 250th anniversary alongside federal agencies.
Performer exits, access hurdles
Attendance concerns come after several high-profile performers including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, The Commodores and Morris Day and The Time withdrew from the lineup over perceived political ties to the event.
Getting into the fair may also be a barrier as portions of the National Mall site are fenced off ahead of the July 4 fireworks celebrations, and attendees are required to register, though walk-ups are permitted, according to the Freedom 250 website.
Security measures include a clear bag policy with size limits, and people are barred from bringing common items including outside food and drinks, umbrellas, coolers, metal containers and selfie sticks.
Photos: Scenes from the Great American State Fair
A young boy exits the U.S. Department of Defense booth at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
The Washington Monument behind the Freedom 250 Wheel at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Rodeo performers prepare to perform at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A rodeo performer prepares to perform at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Kate Davidson, 15, and Olivia Jones, 20, pray before preforming as trick riders at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A young boy carries a U.S. flag past the U.S. Department of Defense booth at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
The Freedom 250 Wheel stands behind a smaller replica of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot "Triumphal Arch" at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
People ride the Freedom 250 Wheel at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Rodeo trick riders prepare to perform at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
An axe throwing competition takes place at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A smaller replica of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot "Triumphal Arch" stands during The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A woman wearing a “MAHA” hat watches a lumberjack demonstration at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
A lumberjack demonstration takes place at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
Charlotte Thompson, 8, pets a horse at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Olivia Jones, 20, a rodeo trick rider from Mississippi, walks her horse before preforming at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
A lumberjack demonstration takes place at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
