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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A reported power outage appeared to disrupt food vendors on the first full day of President Donald Trump’s “Great American State Fair,” adding to early scrutiny over operations and turnout at the high-profile event on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall.
Journalists at the site reported that parts of a major food hall lost electricity on Thursday, leaving vendors unable to serve some items and reports of melting ice cream. The issue appeared intermittent in some areas, with lights cutting out and restarting inside tents.
The disruption matters because the fair—intended as a marquee 16-day celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary—has already faced questions about participation, planning, and attendance in its opening stages.
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Newsweek reached out to event organizers Freedom 250 via email for comment.
What Happened at the Food Hall
Fox 5 DC reporter Homa Bash wrote on X that vendors had lost refrigeration during the outage, saying: “Food hall at Great American State Fair has lost power—they have food but tell me all their ice cream has melted.”
Ben Brasch, another journalist on the ground, posted video showing lights switching off and on in one food tent, suggesting unstable power supply during the day. He added that the weekday daytime crowd at the fair appeared “light.”
Elsewhere on site, some vendors experienced delays of around 30 minutes before they could resume preparing hot food once power returned.
Food and drink prices have also drawn some attention, with early reports of turkey legs priced at around $23 and burgers and sausages near $20, while drinks like lemonade were reported at roughly $9. Prices appeared to vary by vendor and have not been independently verified.
Great American State Fair Marred By Problems
The outage comes after a series of public issues leading up to the fair and scrutiny over the opening days.
Trump said as many as 45,000 people attended the kickoff rally on Wednesday night. However, independent estimates from major outlets and on-the-ground reporting suggested a much smaller crowd, with some placing attendance at just over 1,000 and noting the audience thinned before the speech ended.
Separate commentary shared on social media from journalists at the scene suggested there were few lines to enter parts of the fairgrounds, adding to impressions of lighter-than-expected attendance.
Video shared online showed attendees leaving the National Mall area ahead of the rally’s conclusion, while Thursday reporting described quieter conditions across parts of the fairgrounds during daytime hours.
Weather could also impact turnout in the coming days, with forecasters warning that conditions are expected to deteriorate heading into the weekend. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Friday into Saturday, with the heaviest rain and potential downpours expected later in the day Saturday, raising the possibility of disruptions to outdoor events and delays for visitors
The fair, which runs from June 25 through July 10, stretches across the National Mall with state-themed exhibits, food vendors and large-scale attractions including a Ferris wheel.
The run up to the launch has not been smooth either. In the weeks leading up to opening day multiple states—including Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington—said they would not send official delegations to the fair.
State officials have pointed to a mix of factors, including the cost of staffing and running exhibits over the multi-week event, as well as concerns about the fair’s tone.
The fair’s planned entertainment lineup was also scaled back after several performers withdrew in the run-up to the event, with some saying they had concerns about its political tone.
State Exhibit Hits and Misses
Organizers have said the fair would feature exhibits showcasing all 50 states and U.S. territories, designed to highlight local culture, tourism and industry.
Some of the larger exhibits appear to reflect that ambition. Reporting and promotional materials suggest certain states have built more elaborate displays, including themed installations, branded structures and, in some cases, interactive elements such as digital or augmented reality experiences.
However, early reporting from the site indicates that the scale and content of exhibits vary significantly.
While states such as New York and Florida appear to have more fully developed setups, images of Maine and Connecticut have shown more modest displays, with little more than chairs and signage visible.
It is unclear whether this is related to some states declining to send official delegations to the fair, meaning certain exhibits may be staffed or assembled by third-party groups rather than state agencies.
What Organizers Have Said
The event is being organized by Freedom 250, a Trump-backed group coordinating semi quincentennial celebrations.
Organizers have framed the fair as a nationwide showcase of American culture, with exhibits representing all 50 states and U.S. territories, even as some declined formal participation.
It was not immediately clear Thursday what caused the power outage or whether further disruptions were expected.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Emma Lee-Sang.
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