# Freedom 250 - The Great American State Fair **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 29, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470 "2026-05-29T03:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/701 "2026-07-04T21:57:29Z")
ISTM bringing a Confederate (i.e. traitor) flag to a 4th of July festivity ought to be pretty much grounds for “He needed shootin’”. Especially in Texas. If there is some holiday the South informally (or formally) celebrates related to the founding of the Confederacy, I expect they’d not be too happy about folks waving American flags under their noses on that “sacred” day. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/702 "2026-07-04T22:11:21Z")
I have mixed feelings about the extraordinary heat wave. On the one hand, it may actually save a few lives, because if it were just hot, as opposed to terrifyingly beyond-the-pale hot, events would not be canceled and maybe some people would collapse in the heat. On the other hand, the heat is a great excuse to deny culpability for creating a poorly attended shit-show. “It was a terrific fair and the crowds would have been amazing. But we put people first, and canceled festivities rather than put people’s lives at risk.” Not only that, but Trump and his planners can’t even be mocked for choosing a scorching time of year. July 4 falls in the summer, so there’s not a lot of choice. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/703 "2026-07-04T22:16:12Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Not only that, but Trump and his planners can’t even be mocked for choosing a scorching time of year. July 4 falls in the summer, so there’s not a lot of choice. True, but they COULD have made plans that included lots of cooling stations, free water, and other provisions to help visitors weather the heat better. But that would have taken money out of their own pockets. So: no way. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/704 "2026-07-04T22:16:38Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Parks Service is apparently warning people to wear N95 masks because of the amount of smoke that 850,000 fireworks is going to produce. As a comparison on that number, I read that the DC show used 7,000 fireworks last year. So around 120 times the size. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/705 "2026-07-04T22:47:22Z")
The Thunderbirds are doing a non-standard version of their show right now (6:45 pm), partly visible on the earthcam linked above. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/706 "2026-07-04T23:19:45Z")
Wow. The Fair is being evacuated supposedly because of severe weather. Trump must be losing his mind right now. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/707 "2026-07-04T23:23:28Z")
That ship sailed long ago… ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/708 "2026-07-04T23:27:24Z")
The Air Force One flyover was already in progress and continued even as people were running for the hills. How perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/709 "2026-07-04T23:30:16Z")
One downside is no MAGAS getting any particulate in them. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/710 "2026-07-04T23:30:33Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > they COULD have made plans that included lots of cooling stations, free water, and other provisions to help visitors weather the heat better. Oh, I completely agree. That’s one reason I think the insane scorcher may be a blessing in disguise - the organizers would not have made any provisions for health and safety, but if it was “only” 90 degrees instead of 100+, things might not have been canceled, so a larger number of unlucky people might have ended up with heat stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/711 "2026-07-04T23:33:51Z")
Curses!! Damn liberal vandals manipulating the weather with their evil cloud seeding and contrails! ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/712 "2026-07-04T23:33:58Z")
[Here’s a live video feed at the National Mall.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9P_2DNgyZI) Pretty sparse crowd so far. Looks like they are clearing the area due to an approaching storm? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/713 "2026-07-04T23:57:25Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Looks like they are clearing the area due to an approaching storm? There is a lot of rain and storms in the area, including some stronger cells to the south/southwest of DC, which are moving in the direction of the city. DC is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10pm ET. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/714 "2026-07-05T00:08:18Z")
And just the night after Trump’s speech at Mt. Rushmore was delayed by quarter-sized hail. If the Potomac turns to blood and frogs start swarming out of it it might be time to panic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/715 "2026-07-05T00:27:09Z")
Cut short; all remaining flyovers have been grounded. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/716 "2026-07-05T00:29:05Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Damn liberal vandals manipulating the weather with their evil cloud seeding and contrails! This MAGA influencer is seriously blaming geoengineering from the left on the severe weather. > **[MAGA influencer mocked as she blames DC weather on unlikely culprit](https://www.indy100.com/politics/maga-dc-weather-trump-derangement-syndrome)** > > US president Donald Trump’s beloved Great American State Fair hasn’t been all that successful, with the poor turnout at the National Mall being roasted online, and the event having to close temporarily on Friday due to hot weather.But after Ben Noll,... ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/717 "2026-07-05T00:34:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > MAGA influencer > > TDS is REAL and destroying America Hey, they got one thing right! Just not in the way intended. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/718 "2026-07-05T00:36:18Z")
[![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nnybt4xto5wei34knpj3kexp/bafkreigixcc2cfndoacao47hyuuoirw7bcfitvqfspjup77svntvavpnpq) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nnybt4xto5wei34knpj3kexp/bafkreigixcc2cfndoacao47hyuuoirw7bcfitvqfspjup77svntvavpnpq) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/719 "2026-07-05T01:14:22Z")
Trump is vowing to give his speech anyway. > **[Donald J. Trump: "Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make...](https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/39701)** > > Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting! We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now. Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be... Now Zeus, I’m not much of a praying man… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/720 "2026-07-05T01:14:44Z")
NewsNation just said that Trump will speak at 11 with people being let back in at 9:45. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=37)