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Preparations for Great American State Fair in DC underway — See the changes

Updated June 24, 2026, 1:37 p.m. ET
Fencing was spotted on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 24 following reports from President Donald Trump of vandalism of the newly-renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and ahead of the Great American State Fair kickoff. The fencing is regularly erected for for Fourth of July festivities but is going up early this year, according to a statement from the Department of the Interior . Scroll to see more preparations for the fair, including a ferris wheel and a scale replica of President Donald Trump's 250-foot-tall "Triumphal Arch"
Fencing was spotted on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 24 following reports from President Donald Trump of vandalism of the newly-renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and ahead of the Great American State Fair kickoff. The fencing is regularly erected for for Fourth of July festivities but is going up early this year, according to a statement from the Department of the Interior.

Scroll to see more preparations for the fair, including a ferris wheel and a scale replica of President Donald Trump's 250-foot-tall "Triumphal Arch"
Aaron Schwartz, REUTERS
Preparation work for the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. The fair will fill the mall with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories from June 25 to July 10.
Preparation work for the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. The fair will fill the mall with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories from June 25 to July 10.
Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images
"The Reflecting Pool was always set to be fenced off ahead of the 4th of July. As in years prior, one of the launch pads for the fireworks is around the pool so fencing is put up to ensure public safety," the statement read. "With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site," the Department of the Interior statement says.
"The Reflecting Pool was always set to be fenced off ahead of the 4th of July. As in years prior, one of the launch pads for the fireworks is around the pool so fencing is put up to ensure public safety," the statement read. "With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site," the Department of the Interior statement says.
Aaron Schwartz, REUTERS
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
A scale replica of President Donald Trump's 250-foot-tall "Triumphal Arch" stands in the middle of the National Mall along 7th Street Northwest on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. The display is part of Trump's Freedom 250 Great American State Fair, which will fill the mall with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories from June 25 to July 10.
A scale replica of President Donald Trump's 250-foot-tall "Triumphal Arch" stands in the middle of the National Mall along 7th Street Northwest on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. The display is part of Trump's Freedom 250 Great American State Fair, which will fill the mall with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories from June 25 to July 10.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Members of the National Guard patrol near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2026.
Members of the National Guard patrol near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2026.
Tyler M. Andrews/The Washington Post Via Getty Images
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Scenes from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., show the area as the U.S. Capital prepares for America's 250th anniversary.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Security fencing seen near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of evenets related to the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 23, 2026.
Security fencing seen near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of evenets related to the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 23, 2026.
Aaron Schwartz, REUTERS
Fencing lies near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 23, 2026.
Fencing lies near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 23, 2026.
Aaron Schwartz, REUTERS
The Washington Monument is seen behind a ferris wheel as construction for Freedom 250's Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. The 16 day World's Fair-scale celebration of America's 250th birthday will run from June 25 to July 10, 2026, showcasing all U.S. states and territories.
The Washington Monument is seen behind a ferris wheel as construction for Freedom 250's Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. The 16 day World's Fair-scale celebration of America's 250th birthday will run from June 25 to July 10, 2026, showcasing all U.S. states and territories.
Anna Rose Layden, Getty Images
The Washington Monument is seen behind a ferris wheel as construction for Freedom 250's Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. The 16 day World's Fair-scale celebration of America's 250th birthday will run from June 25 to July 10, 2026, showcasing all U.S. states and territories.
The Washington Monument is seen behind a ferris wheel as construction for Freedom 250's Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. The 16 day World's Fair-scale celebration of America's 250th birthday will run from June 25 to July 10, 2026, showcasing all U.S. states and territories.
Anna Rose Layden, Getty Images
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