The Great American State Fair, held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was temporarily closed on Friday due to extreme heat.
“Gates reopen at 5:00 PM for an incredible evening featuring patriotic favorites with Hugo Castillo, an inspiring performance by GRAMMY-winning educator Mickey Smith Jr., and ‘The Voice’ breakout star Grace Moody Miller,” Freedom 250 organizers said, according to WUSA9.
“The heat index — what temperature it feels like with humidity — is forecast to reach a scorching 113 degrees in D.C. on Friday,” ABC News noted.
NEW: The Great American State Fair abruptly closed mid-day Friday due to dangerous temperatures, organizers said.
The heat index — what temperature it feels like with humidity — is forecast to reach a scorching 113 degrees in D.C. on Friday.
Read more: https://t.co/xbU42WVL0m pic.twitter.com/I1ZEj1jcet
— ABC News (@ABC) July 3, 2026
WUSA9 has more:
The Washington Monument Illumination is also expected to happen as scheduled with 18-minute shows happening on the hour at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight.
The heat had already impacted fair activities earlier in the week, including a cancellation of planned rodeo shows on Thursday to protect the animals, and closure of a few of the state exhibition booths, due to lack of air conditioning.
ADVERTISEMENT“The heat is blistering, of course,” said Maryland resident Greg Ramsey of his experience visiting the fair Wednesday. “But just in the spirit of 250 years, I think about the Continental Army. They didn’t complain when it was freezing or when it was too hot. We’ll be getting water soon.”
District officials are encouraging visitors to plan ahead, stay hydrated, and familiarize themselves with event restrictions before heading to the National Mall.
“The big thing is for everyone to plan ahead. Know where you’re going. Know what the restrictions are,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
Throughout the fair, organizers have set up free water stations and hydration points to help visitors cope with the heat.
The extreme heat has impacted Fourth of July activities in other cities as well, prompting the cancellation of the “Salute to Independence” parade in Philadelphia.
‘Birthplace Of America’ Cancels “Salute To Independence” Parade
NBC News shared further:
DC Fire and EMS confirmed to NBC News that before the Great American State Fair was closed that it had 44 patient contacts. Eleven people of those were taken to the hospital for various illnesses and injuries. Seven of them had to receive advanced life support, and four patients had to receive basic life support.
DC Fire and EMS confirmed to NBC Washington earlier today that more than a dozen of those patient contacts were related to heat illness and injury.
DC Fire and EMS is not the only emergency medical provider on site at the fair, so more patients may have received treatment at the fair today. The Department of Health and Human Services and George Washington University Hospital have also had responders on site. HHS and the hospital did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
Visitors to the state fair told NBC Washington they supported closing the fair. A California woman said that it is “like being in an oven” outside and that “you don’t want people getting sick.”
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