The Great American State Fair to celebrate nation’s 250th birthday
The United States of America will be 250 years old in 2026.
President Donald Trump and others announced the year-long Great American State Fair recently at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, launching the programming for the event. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Great American State Fair will travel across the country, bringing America 250 programming to existing state and county fairs and will culminate with a festival on the National Mall on July 4, 2026, with exhibits from all 50 states.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins said the announcement is an important one for agriculture and called upon states across the nation to celebrate America’s proud agriculture heritage by implementing America 250 programing at every state fair during the year leading up to the anniversary.
“For nearly 250 years, the Great American Experiment has stood as a beacon of liberty, forging a path that has saved the world from tyranny and secured peace and prosperity for billions,” Rollins said in a news release. “The display of America’s strong livestock, bountiful harvests, rich communities, and thriving families at state fairs across the nation is evidence that the vision our founders cast 249 years ago endures.”
According to a news release, the proclamation signed by Secretary Rollins highlighted the historic significance of the 1876 centennial exposition, the 1976 bicentennial exposition, and the upcoming 2026 semiquincentennial celebration. State fairs around the country are encouraged to establish patriotic centers of celebration for America 250 and imbue their 2025 and 2026 events with historic patriotism and tributes to the founding spirit of the Republic.
Celebration of America 250 with the Great American State Fair already has more than 35 states committed. By spotlighting the significant birthday, organizers hope their celebrations will honor America’s heritage and ignite national pride across the country.
States are encouraged to issue their own proclamations and work in conjunction with state and local fairs and rodeos to ensure the year of America’s 250 celebration is the most patriotic in history leading up to America’s birthday. The states of Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming are helping to lead the way with proclamations issued to launch the initiative.
Oklahoma recently announced its participation with Gov. Kevin Stitt signing a proclamation July 7. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry said bringing citizens together to understand and honor agriculture while showcasing livestock and celebrating traditions that shape the nation is an important task.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur is excited to partner with America 250 to honor the birth of the country, and the role state fairs play in bringing its citizens together.
“Oklahoma’s state fairs have long served as an opportunity for families and communities to gather in support and celebration of our rural way of life and production agriculture,” Arthur said in a news release.
Iowa is another state participating in the festivities for America 250 and the Great American State Fair. According to www.iowastatefair.org, Iowa is the home to the greatest state fair, “and we’re proud to continue our patriotic and Americana traditions in 2025. As we look ahead to America’s 250th birthday in 2026, we’re gearing up for a once-in-a-generation celebration that will bring our red, white and blue to life next year.”
The 2026 Iowa State Fair is set for Aug. 13 to 23 in Des Moines. Much like “The Spirit of Iowa ’76” that was held during the 1976 Iowa State Fair celebrating the nation’s bicentennial, attractions in 2026 will focus on agriculture, industry and the American dream.
“Iowans have always sustained themselves and fed others across the nation and around the world. Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary will allow the Iowa State Fair to salute the sacrifices of the great Americans who built our country and celebrate the innovation that will power our prosperous future,” the ISF website noted.
While all states will be invited to participate in America 250, the state with the most patriotic 2025 state fair will be honored during the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in July 2026. More details about the National Mall event will be available soon.
Secretary Rollins is a member of Task Force 250, which President Trump established to coordinate and implement the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
For more information visit https://america250.org/.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
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