# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/101 "2026-06-01T03:15:57Z")
Or with the rise of AI, how about Jem and the Holograms? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/102 "2026-06-01T03:38:52Z")
To be honest, rather than the fourth-rate musical groups that were originally named, I wouldn’t mind something like the old Boston Pops Fourth of July concerts. They could have the Marine Corps Band performing Sousa marches, the 1812 Overture and other fun music. Sort of an American version of the Last Night of the Pops. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/103 "2026-06-01T03:49:29Z")
If every state (heck even half of them) were creating “state and territory showcases from across America”, wouldn’t someone have noticed? It’d be big news. And why specify “and territory”? Isn’t that just wishful thinking? I mean, Puerto Rico is _not_ a big fan of the president, but there are 13 smaller islands that maybe he’s hoping will make a splash. But honestly, does Trump really think, say, Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands will build big pavilions? “Seaweed and Guano… for Freedom!” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/104 "2026-06-01T03:52:59Z")
The old Boston Pops group would never participate in this ridiculous monstrosity. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/105 "2026-06-01T03:54:29Z")
I didn’t expect they would; it was just an example of the sort of thing that would be fun. Certainly the Marine Corps Band and other military groups could be scheduled for this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/106 "2026-06-01T03:56:52Z")
If they participate, in uniform, in what will surely be a political rally there will be hell to pay. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/107 "2026-06-01T03:57:53Z")
I was envisioning a non-political concert, not a MAGA rally. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/108 "2026-06-01T04:08:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Certainly the Marine Corps Band and other military groups could be scheduled for this sort of thing. They are scheduled to perform throughout the Fair. These may be the only things you can count on happening since I imagine they can’t refuse to participate. **Military Performances & Demonstrations:** - **U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps** Elite military musical performance unit - **Army Downrange Rock** U.S. Army contemporary music performance group - **Airmen of Note Jazz Ensemble** Premier U.S. Air Force jazz ensemble - **Commanders-in-Chief’s Guard** Ceremonial military demonstration unit - **U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps** Historic military musical ensemble - **Military District of Washington Air Force Max Impact** High-energy rock and pop performance ensemble - **Military District of Washington MCCS Latin Jazz** Latin jazz performance ensemble - **Military District of Washington Air Force Singing Sergeants** Premier vocal ensemble of the U.S. Air Force - **Military District of Washington U.S. Coast Guard Brass Group** Ceremonial brass ensemble - **Military District of Washington U.S. Marine Corps Free Country** Country and Americana performance ensemble - **Military District of Washington Fife and Drums** Historic Revolutionary War-era musical ensemble - **Military District of Washington Commanders Color Guard** Elite ceremonial color presentation unit - **Military District of Washington Commanders-in-Chief’s Guard** Precision ceremonial drill and honor guard - **Military District of Washington U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps** Precision marching and musical unit - **Military District of Washington Drill Team Spectacular** Precision military drill demonstration team - **Military District of Washington Air Force Airmen of Note Jazz** Premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force - **Military District of Washington U.S. Navy Jazz** Official Navy jazz performance ensemble - **Military District of Washington Current Country** Contemporary country music ensemble - **Military District of Washington Army Downrange Rock** Modern rock performance band of the U.S. Army ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/109 "2026-06-01T04:15:05Z")
Does Trump participating in a political rally to substitute for all the musical acts that have dropped out during the fest, as he has claimed he plans on doing, throw a wrench in those plans? Are our service members allowed to participate in a political rally while in uniform? ---
**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:** [June 1, 2026, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/110 "2026-06-01T04:25:05Z")
Their performances have nothing to do with any rally Trump might have. They will be performing at various times during the two week Fair. Supposedly along with many other attractions and wonders that haven’t exactly been specified. Well, there is this: > [@](#): > > The Great American State Fair will feature special screenings of the iconic films National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, alongside family-friendly and educational programming, including Tuttle Twins and the interactive American Journey Experience. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/111 "2026-06-01T04:42:55Z")
Birth of a Nation will probably be the highlight closer film in the schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/112 "2026-06-01T05:02:09Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Their performances have nothing to do with any rally Trump might have. This remains to be seen, and Trump is not one to seek permission _or_ ask forgiveness. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2026, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/113 "2026-06-01T05:08:48Z")
> [@digs](#): > > If every state (heck even half of them) were creating “state and territory showcases from across America”, wouldn’t someone have noticed? It’d be big news. I guess we will see if pavilions start going up in the next couple weeks. And the ferris wheel installed. I’ve never been to the National Mall so I don’t know if there are already areas set up where events could be held. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2026, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/114 "2026-06-01T05:18:41Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I guess we will see if pavilions start going up in the next couple weeks. It’s allegedly supposed to start in 3 1/2 weeks. Were someone competent actually planning what is supposed to be a major national event, by this late juncture, one would expect a detailed map of where these pavilions and attractions are supposed to be, exact schedules of events each day, etc., to have already been published weeks, if not months, ago. [This page](https://washington.org/event/great-american-state-fair) – which is not even on Freedom 250’s site, but on the DC tourism site – gives a daily schedule of themes, but that’s it. [The official site](https://freedom250.org/celebration/the-great-american-state-fair) has next to nothing. Either (a) there are detailed plans, which have not been made public for whatever reason, (b) planning is way behind schedule, or (c) no serious plans have been made at all, other than trying to book some second-to-third tier musical acts, most of whom recently backed out. Were I a betting man, I know on which of these I’d put my money on. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/115 "2026-06-01T06:36:10Z")
More bad news, I’m afraid. Shallow Gravy has just dropped out of the event. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/116 "2026-06-01T06:36:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The old Boston Pops group would never participate in this ridiculous monstrosity They might be willing to throw chests of tea into the new bright blue reflecting pool… ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/117 "2026-06-01T07:07:44Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > They might be willing to throw chests of tea into the new bright blue reflecting pool Perfect! ---
**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:** [June 1, 2026, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/118 "2026-06-01T07:20:26Z")
This collection of photos from Getty Images, taken within the last few days, does show some booths/pavilions being built along the National Mall. Some of the other pictures are of the MMA stage at the White House, and painting the Reflecting Pool blue (ugh). [![](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278654900/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=IDzYTM9OTP70bZ3fo9Fnd3vI9X8phG7Z7HcZUPGlEgU=) ](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278654900/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=IDzYTM9OTP70bZ3fo9Fnd3vI9X8phG7Z7HcZUPGlEgU=) [![](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278834349/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=9ruMB9voSNqgKTXbS_Vi2udTDGIwApgJmgKAsRWA33w=) ](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278834349/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=9ruMB9voSNqgKTXbS_Vi2udTDGIwApgJmgKAsRWA33w=) [![](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278656697/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=X85JnJzaw8iC0hwYOTCP1TRka5IqQHgXxRZ32tZZipQ=) ](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2278656697/photo/construction-continues-around-d-c-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events.webp?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=X85JnJzaw8iC0hwYOTCP1TRka5IqQHgXxRZ32tZZipQ=) > **[175 Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/editorial-images/news/event/construction-continues-around-dc-as-the-nations-capital-prepares-for-americas-250th-events/776502476?editorialproducts=all)** > > Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic photos & royalty-free pictures, taken by professional Getty Images photographers. Available in multiple sizes and formats to fit your needs. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/119 "2026-06-01T07:21:33Z")
BREAKING: The Trapp Family has withdrawn from Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 concert, citing previous unpleasant experiences with fascists. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470/120 "2026-06-01T12:06:03Z")
What about the Soggy Bottom Boys? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-250-the-great-american-state-fair/1030470.md?page=7)