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.
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An axe throwing competition takes place at The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 29.
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
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
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
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 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
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
