Here’s what to expect from the GA section at the Great American State Fair in DC
As part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Washington D.C. will host a modern-day World’s Fair and Georgia will be there to celebrate.
The Great American State Fair will be staged across 10 blocks of the National Mall, and is organized by the Freedom 250 group to celebrate American history, culture, and innovation.
The event brings together all 50 states and six U.S. territories and Georgia’s pavilion will highlight the state’s top industries, cultural heritage, and iconic companies.
The Great American State Fair
This “world-class exposition” will celebrate the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that “make America the greatest nation on Earth,” according to the Freedom 250 group.
President Trump will headline the Kick-Off Celebration on June 24, 2026, officially launching both the Great American State Fair and the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is recommended.
What to do and see:
- 16-day national exposition from June 25 - July 10
- Stretches from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument
- 150+ exhibits representing all 56 states and territories, plus businesses, innovators, and civic organizations
- State pavilions
- Industry displays
- Movie screenings
- Musical performances
- Military flyovers
- Daily rodeo
- Ferris wheel
The Georgia Pavilion
The pavilion is hosted by the Office of the Governor in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and will showcase the state’s economic identity in agriculture, industry, and a few business sectors that are special to the state, like Chick-fil-A and Waffle House.
Governor Kemp said, it will focus on “famous Georgia-grown goods to exclusive products from major Georgia-based brands, [and] visitors from around the world who experience our showcase will have plenty of reasons to keep us on their minds.”
Sponsors:
- Georgia Department of Economic Development
- Bland Farms (Glennville)
- Emerald Carpets
- Wayne-Sanderson Farms
- The Georgia Poultry Association
- Jaemor Farms
Features:
- Iconic Georgia brands with exclusive items and displays from Waffle House and Chick-fil-A.
- Highlights of major agricultural drivers including Vidalia onions, peaches, strawberries, and poultry.
- Information on Georgia’s business sector
Pavilion hours:
- 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday - Wednesday
- 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Thursday - Saturday
Not all states are going
According to Time Magazine, the reasons vary for states not participating.
Some states opted out because they said participation was too expensive, yet a few said the event felt increasingly partisan rather than purely commemorative.
A spokesperson for Freedom 250 said in a statement, “Whether represented by a governor’s office, a tourism board, or a beloved state company or organization, every community will be celebrated, and every American will see themselves in this once-in-a-generation event.”
States not participating:
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- Illinois, Maine
- Connecticut
- Washington
- Oregon
How to participate in The Great American State Fair
Registration for the Great American State Fair Kick-Off Celebration and the fair itself is available for free through the Freedom 250 Event Portal.
Kickoff Celebration
The kickoff celebration and rally, featuring remarks from Donald Trump on the National Mall, is scheduled for Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026, with coverage starting earlier in the day.
Streaming Options:
- Freedom250.org:
- YouTube: Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) is providing live, all-day coverage.
- C-SPAN: Plans to stream at 7 p.m. ET.
Television/Cable Options:
- Newsmax: Airs the rally at 7:30 p.m. ET, with replays.
- Fox News Channel: Coverage of the event, including Special Report with Bret Baier (6-7 p.m. ET)
- The Ingraham Angle (7-8 p.m. ET), will be live from the National Mall.