Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen to host star-studded America 250 special

If Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen can keep the party going on New Year's Eve, maybe they can do the same for America's milestone birthday.

The longtime CNN anchor and Bravo host, who've cohosted CNN's annual New Year's Eve special for nearly a decade, are set to helm a new event for the United States' semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, CNN announced in a press release Thursday, May 28.

Cooper, 58, and Cohen, 57, will cohost "Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250," a countdown special celebrating the landmark patriotic anniversary. The show, which airs July 3 from 8 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. ET, will feature a midnight ball drop similar to New York City's tradition for the New Year's Eve holiday.

"Throughout the night, Anderson and Andy will be joined by an array of special guests," CNN said in a statement, which includes "celebrated American icons, cultural legends and inspiring everyday heroes, whose stories reflect the spirit, resilience and diversity of the United States."

While viewers will have to wait to see the A-listers joining Cooper and Cohen, CNN has confirmed a star-studded lineup for its "The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250" slate, which consists of the network's nonstop coverage of America 250 celebrations throughout the Fourth of July weekend.

CNN will broadcast performances from several music superstars nationwide, including Charlie Puth and Josh Groban, Kane Brown, the Goo Goo Dolls, Maren Morris, Rod Stewart, Lil Wayne, AJR, Kool & The Gang and Chaka Khan.

The announcement comes after the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event organized by President Donald Trump's nonprofit Freedom 250, experienced a shake-up with several artist cancellations earlier this week.

The fair, which is expected to run June 25 through July 10, will transform the National Mall in Washington, D.C., into "the biggest, boldest state fair in the country" in honor of the U.S. semiquincentennial, according to the official Freedom 250 website. A lineup of musical heavyweights, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels and The Commodores, was slated to perform.

However, the majority of performers have since walked back their involvement, with many citing the political controversy of the event's affiliation with President Trump.

Michaels, the latest musician to announce his departure, attributed his exit to the event becoming "divisive," as well as threats to his loved ones.

"Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of," the Poison frontman, originally set to perform July 3, wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.

"Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable."

CNN is expected to cover the Great American State Fair as part of its "Fourth in America: Celebrating 250" programming on July 4, the network shared on Thursday. Special coverage, hosted by Brianna Keilar and Laura Coates from Washington, D.C., will begin airing at 12 p.m. ET.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY