Topline
President Donald Trump’s “Great American State Fair” shut down for the afternoon Friday as extreme heat in Washington, D.C., threatens to derail the president’s July 4th celebrations—though he is still pressing on with his ambitious plans Saturday, including a “really long” speech and 40-minute fireworks display.
Key Facts
Temperatures in Washington are expected to reach up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday and 102 degrees on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, putting the district under an extreme heat warning over the July 4th weekend.
The “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall shuttered temporarily Friday due to the heat, organizers announced shortly after 1 p.m., saying the event would reopen in the evening when temperatures will start going down.
First responders were seen at the state fair treating attendees with heat exhaustion, CNN reported Friday, and the decision to temporarily shut down came after organizers previously postponed a rodeo at the state fair Thursday due to the heat.
On July 4 itself, the president and his associated “Freedom250” organization have planned a “Salute to America” celebration Saturday evening, which is a concert, a speech by Trump and a potentially record-breaking fireworks display featuring more than 850,000 pyrotechnic effects.
The event is still scheduled to move forward, but organizers announced Thursday that entry to the event will be delayed until 5 p.m.—before the event begins at 7 p.m.—in order to reduce attendees’ exposure to the heat.
Trump has vowed to deliver his speech regardless of the weather, saying Wednesday he was “going to make a really long speech just to show that I can do anything.”
Tangent
Before his speech Saturday in Washington, Trump will also deliver a speech Friday evening at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. While the temperature there is expected to be more pleasant, with highs in the 70s, there is a potential for severe thunderstorms, presenting another possible weather hurdle for the 250th celebrations.
‘A Capitol Fourth’ Crowds Postponed
Washington’s annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert, which airs on PBS and is separate from Trump’s festivities, is slated to take place as scheduled Friday, U.S. Capitol Police announced Friday morning. The concert will take place outdoors on the West Lawn of the Capitol building and feature performances by a number of musical artists, including Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle and Alan Jackson. The public will only be allowed to enter at 7 p.m., however, one hour before the concert begins. Police had previously closed a rehearsal for the event Thursday to the public due to the weather.
What to Watch for
How well the fireworks event will run. Sources cited by MS Now expressed concerns about how the company behind Saturday’s event—which has also handled the much-maligned state fair—will handle the logistics of the massive event, which presents huge security challenges alongside the task of providing enough water and shelter to keep people safe in the heat. It also remains to be seen if the extreme temperatures and Trump’s lengthy planned speech could dissuade people from attending and mean crowds will be lower than anticipated.
Surprising Fact
In addition to the health risks posed by the heat, experts have also expressed concerns about potential pollution risks from Trump’s ambitious fireworks display, which will launch an unprecedented number of fireworks from multiple points around the city. The National Park Service cautioned the display could create a “hazardous” amount of pollution, according to a draft analysis reported by Politico, and experts have cautioned sensitive groups like people with asthma and the elderly should consider leaving the city or at least stay indoors to avoid exposure. “It’s going to be a disaster,” Dr. Anthony Wexler, director of the Air Quality Research Center at UC Davis, told MS Now. “It’s going to create a lot of particles in the atmosphere, and those particles are going to contain lots of toxic metals.”
Big Number
Up to $25,000. That’s how much people could pay if they want to beat the heat and watch the fireworks from the Kennedy Center’s roof terrace instead. The most expensive ticket package covers 36 guests and three tables, while cheaper options range from a $425 “Blue Pass” ticket at the lowest tier to a $15,000 package for 24 guests.
Key Background
Trump has poured resources into the July 4 celebration, reportedly upending previous plans for America’s 250th anniversary and replacing it with his own celebrations like the Great American State Fair. The efforts are part of a broader intense focus the president has had on Washington, which has also led to controversial moves like repainting the Reflecting Pool, demolishing the White House’s East Wing to build a ballroom, and planning a new triumphal arch in the city. Many of those plans have become controversial or resulted in issues, with algae blooming in the Reflecting Pool and the new coating peeling off, the ballroom construction getting tied up in litigation and the State Fair drawing ridicule for its small crowds.
Further Reading
Trump’s Hyped July 4 In DC Faces 100-Degree ‘Extreme’ Heat (Forbes)
July 4 Fireworks Viewing At The Kennedy Center Features $25,000 Package—Here’s What’s Included (Forbes)
As America Turns 250, Washington, D.C. Is Under Construction (Forbes)
