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Blistering heat delays start of Great American State Fair on Saturday

By Thomas Robertson

Stay with WTOP for coverage of America’s semiquincentennial Fourth of July, including fireworks, ‘A Capital Fourth’ concert, and other celebrations. Tune in to 103.5 FM on air, online or via the WTOP app.

Excessive heat forced the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in D.C. to close for a few hours Friday, and the lingering scorching temperatures Saturday have led to a later fair start.

The fair will open Saturday at noon, instead of 10 a.m. The FIFA Fan Zone will also open at noon.

High temperatures hit 100 degrees in D.C. for the second straight day, leading organizers to temporarily close the fair on Friday, which reopened at 5 p.m.

Freedom250, the Trump administration organization behind the fair, said it made the decision to shut the fair down Friday afternoon in coordination with public safety officials.

“The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority. Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening’s festivities,” the organization said in a post on X.

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In a CSPAN videoposted on X, an announcement to fair guests can be heard.

“Attention fairgoers, the event has been postponed. We will reopen at 5 p.m. Please refer to Freedom250 social media for updates. Please proceed to the nearest exit,” a voice said over event speakers.

Now that the fair has reopened, there will be performances from Hugo Castillo, Mickey Smith Jr. and Grace Moody Miller. The Washington Monument illumination show will also take place for the third night.

Before the fair shut down at around 1 p.m., attendees enjoyed military flyovers, which were rehearsals for Fourth of July flyovers scheduled from morning until night.

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