Latest news with #GreatAmericanFair
LeMonde
08-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
The United States' 250th anniversary in 2026 is an occasion for Trump to celebrate a history stripped of any 'negative' aspects
The countdown to the 250 th anniversary of the United States has begun. One year ahead of the major anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, Donald Trump has announced the program of festivities. The 47 th American president's plans include a "Great American Fair" in Washington; a televised showdown called "Patriot Games" between young athletes from all 50 states under the supervision of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; and an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the White House. "We have a lot of land there. We're going to build a little," Trump explained, envisioning a spectacle for "20,000 to 25,000 people" at the residence that has housed every president since John Adams (1797-1801), the successor to George Washington (1789-1797). In a speech delivered on July 3 at Iowa's annual fair, Trump confirmed that he intended to make American history a "patriotic history" and that he would seize the opportunity of the country's 250 th anniversary to stand up to the "radical left bureaucrats" and all those who portray the "remarkable achievements" of the United States "in a negative light."
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
America's 250th: Iowa adjusts firework laws for milestone July 4 party
The bill comes two years after Trump proposed the idea of a Great American State Fair to be held in Iowa in July 2026 for the country's anniversary milestone. "Current law allows a patchwork of ordinances that are a trap for the unwary patriotic American in Iowa who simply wants to celebrate Independence Day the way it was intended by our founding fathers and the way it has been for centuries," Republican Iowa Rep. Bill Gustoff said on the House floor. "In too many communities in Iowa, they can't do that." As the bill's fate lies in Reynolds' hands, here's what to know about the legislation, Trump's proposed Great American Fair and Iowa's plans for 2026 Fourth of July. If passed, what would Iowa's firework bill do? If signed into law by Reynolds, Senate File 303 would prohibit city and county governments from regulating or prohibiting Iowans' use of consumer fireworks on July 3 and 4, and on Dec. 31, for New Year's Eve. In a 2024 social media post, Reynolds said the state of Iowa would "stand ready to host the Great American State Fair." The timing of her decision is unclear. Des Moines Register: Iowans could shoot off fireworks on 4th of July, New Year's Eve under bill sent to Reynolds What is the Great American Fair? In 2023, Trump proposed the idea of hosting the Great American Fair. To be held from Memorial Day 2025 to July 4, 2026, Trump said the event would be headquartered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Though plans for such an event have yet to be shared, and Trump's administration declined commenting when contacted by USA TODAY on May 13, Trump did sign an executive order in January that created Task Force 250. As outlined by the order and headed by Trump, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and executing "an extraordinary celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence" on July 4, 2026. The task force is also responsible for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden first proposed by the president in 2020 that is scheduled to open in July 2026. "My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival," Trump said in the 2023 video. Is the Great American Fair really happening? Despite Trump's executive order, plans for an official Great American Fair don't appear to be in place yet. "Although we are biased and believe the Iowa State Fair is the best, we have received no official requests or inquiries for the Great American Fair at this time," Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told USA TODAY on May 13. However, the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250, is a nonprofit dedicated to the celebration of the 250th anniversary across the country. The America250 lists several events throughout the country on its website but does not mention any details about the Great American Fair. National Garden of American Heroes: NEH hiring artists for Trump's 250-statue garden plan. It just cut 1,000 other grants. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
America turns 250 on July 4, 2026. One state looks to loosen fireworks law for celebration
America turns 250 on July 4, 2026. One state looks to loosen fireworks law for celebration In 2023, President Donald Trump proposed a 250th anniversary celebration to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, starting Memorial Day weekend 2025. The state appears to be readying itself. Show Caption Hide Caption Fireworks to return to Mount Rushmore for nation's 250th birthday in 2026 Fireworks will be making a comeback at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota in 2026 for a Fourth of July celebration. Straight Arrow News Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill that would prohibit the regulation of firework displays during the Fourth of July, paving the way for a yearlong celebration lauded by President Donald Trump ahead of the United States' 250th birthday next summer. Iowa's Senate File 303 would prohibit local governments from regulating the use of fireworks by Iowa residents on July 3 and 4. After passing in the House, the bill is heading to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk. The bill comes two years after Trump proposed the idea of a Great American State Fair to be held in Iowa in July 2026 for the country's anniversary milestone. "Current law allows a patchwork of ordinances that are a trap for the unwary patriotic American in Iowa who simply wants to celebrate Independence Day the way it was intended by our founding fathers and the way it has been for centuries," Republican Iowa Rep. Bill Gustoff said on the House floor. "In too many communities in Iowa, they can't do that." As the bill's fate lies in Reynolds' hands, here's what to know about the legislation, Trump's proposed Great American Fair and Iowa's plans for 2026 Fourth of July. If passed, what would Iowa's firework bill do? If signed into law by Reynolds, Senate File 303 would prohibit city and county governments from regulating or prohibiting Iowans' use of consumer fireworks on July 3 and 4, and on Dec. 31, for New Year's Eve. In a 2024 social media post, Reynolds said the state of Iowa would "stand ready to host the Great American State Fair." The timing of her decision is unclear. Des Moines Register: Iowans could shoot off fireworks on 4th of July, New Year's Eve under bill sent to Reynolds What is the Great American Fair? In 2023, Trump proposed the idea of hosting the Great American Fair. To be held from Memorial Day 2025 to July 4, 2026, Trump said the event would be headquartered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Though plans for such an event have yet to be shared, and Trump's administration declined commenting when contacted by USA TODAY on May 13, Trump did sign an executive order in January that created Task Force 250. As outlined by the order and headed by Trump, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and executing "an extraordinary celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence" on July 4, 2026. The task force is also responsible for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden first proposed by the president in 2020 that is scheduled to open in July 2026. "My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival," Trump said in the 2023 video. Is the Great American Fair really happening? Despite Trump's executive order, plans for an official Great American Fair don't appear to be in place yet. "Although we are biased and believe the Iowa State Fair is the best, we have received no official requests or inquiries for the Great American Fair at this time," Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told USA TODAY on May 13. However, the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250, is a nonprofit dedicated to the celebration of the 250th anniversary across the country. The America250 lists several events throughout the country on its website but does not mention any details about the Great American Fair. National Garden of American Heroes: NEH hiring artists for Trump's 250-statue garden plan. It just cut 1,000 other grants. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.
