Camille Naredo

Article (news)

National Mall

Reuters Wires

<div> </div>America&#x27;s 50th anniversary fair on the National Mall temporarily closed to visitors on Friday (July 3) as extreme heat prompted officials to clear the grounds and direct people to air-conditioned museums and other cooling locations.Temperatures reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) according to forecasters. Fair organizers said they expected it to reopen at 5 p.m., with modifications like cooling tents and misting stations.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/4/trump-set-for-mount-rushmore-address-as-us-turns-250-1118">READ: Trump set for Mount Rushmore address as US turns 250</a></div>Images showed an empty fairground, including a Ferris wheel bearing an electronic &quot;America 250&quot; sign, after visitors were told the event would pause before reopening later in the evening.National Guard troops and fair personnel turned away would-be attendees at entrances and directed them toward Metro stations and museums as temperatures soared.Michelle Plummer, 60, who was visiting from Schenectady, New York, said she and her husband arrived just as officials halted entry.&quot;They were starting to make people come out and they just said people were getting sick and passing out, and they just thought, we gotta get the people, get a break, get them into the museums and try to get people off out of the heat,&quot; she said.Plummer said they spent time at the Smithsonian&#x27;s National Museum of American History while waiting for the fair to reopen.National Guard troops and fair personnel were seen directing would-be attendees away from entrances and toward Metro stations and nearby museums, while visitors gathered around large misting fans mounted on emergency response vehicles.Despite the disruption, some attendees said they remained enthusiastic about celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.Tim Plummer, also visiting from Schenectady, credited President Donald Trump with backing the event.&quot;He ought to be proud,&quot; Plummer said. &quot;He&#x27;s the one that&#x27;s in right now. ... I would be excited if I was him.&quot;&quot;I mean, he&#x27;s doing his best, I think, to try and make it a success,&quot; he added. &quot;I don&#x27;t think he wants it to fail.&quot;John Kiecana, 64, of Northern Virginia, said the chance to participate in the semi-quincentennial celebrations outweighed the uncomfortable conditions.&quot;Well, it&#x27;s so hot,&quot; Kiecana said. &quot;I&#x27;m excited to see and participate in our country&#x27;s 250th. It&#x27;s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I won&#x27;t be here for the 300.&quot;Images showed empty entrance areas, vacant queue lines and exhibits awaiting visitors as organizers prepared for the fair&#x27;s planned reopening later in the day.<div>(Production: Deborah Gembara) </div>

America's 50th anniversary fair on the National Mall temporarily closed to visitors on Friday (July 3) as extreme heat prompted officials to clear the grounds and direct people to air-conditioned museums and other cooling locations.

America's 50th anniversary fair on the National Mall temporarily closed to visitors on Friday (July 3) as extreme heat prompted officials to clear the grounds and direct people to air-conditioned museums and other cooling locations.

Heat wave temporarily shuts down Trump's American State Fair on National Mall

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

Heat wave temporarily shuts down Trump's American State Fair on National Mall

Reuters

Published July 04, 2026 12:18 PM PHT

Read More:

United States

Donald Trump

National Mall

American State Fair

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.