Additional Coverage:
Supporters at the Great American State Fair, a Donald Trump-endorsed event in Washington, D.C., faced frustration on Saturday evening as severe weather forced an early end to their Independence Day festivities. Originally expecting to enjoy President Trump’s speech and a fireworks show, attendees had to leave the National Mall area due to a sudden storm.
The day began with sweltering triple-digit temperatures but took a turn as dark clouds and gusty winds rolled in. Joseph Rourke, a 58-year-old visitor from upstate New York, expressed his disappointment after being told to evacuate.
“Yeah, that’s kind of a bummer because there’s no place to watch the fireworks from,” Rourke said. “I walked all the way down to the Capitol, found a nice spot, and then the police kicked us out.”
Rourke, who had separated from his family during the search for a good vantage point, was not particularly concerned about the president’s speech. “I don’t care about his speech,” he remarked.
“The weather might be an issue though-it’s looking pretty dark over your shoulder. But I’m not a witch; I won’t melt.”
Kathy Olsen, a Texan attendee, voiced her frustration with the event’s organization and the evacuation decision. “This heat is what we do.
And this storm cell is what we do,” she said with a laugh. “Why are we evacuating?
I want to sign a waiver. I’m from Texas; I didn’t evacuate from a storm cell.”
Olsen also criticized the event’s management, describing it as “discombobulated” due to frequent gate closures and last-minute changes. “It’s just a mess,” she said, noting that the event’s attendance had been sparse and the coordination poor compared to other July 4th celebrations she’s attended.
Despite the chaos, Olsen jokingly mentioned she planned to contact President Trump to offer her assistance in organizing future events, claiming, “We know how to do it. We do it better in Texas.”
Not all attendees were upset by the shutdown. Bill Stetz, 67, acknowledged the safety concerns, stating, “If it’s bad weather, it’s probably a good idea,” referencing the lightning and thunder present during the evacuation.
The National Mall remained closed for roughly three hours before President Trump announced he would deliver his speech near the Washington Monument regardless of conditions. The area reopened around 9:45 p.m., prompting a rush of supporters eager to re-enter the venue.