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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa to host “Great American State Fair”

Iowa State Fair says they have not been contacted, according to the Des Moines Register.
Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor
November 7, 2024
Ayrton Breckenridge
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Caucus Night Watch Party at the Sheraton in West Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Republican voters assembled statewide to participate in the caucuses despite the cold and extreme winter weather across the state. Former President Donald Trump won the caucuses in a dominant and early fashion with 51 percent support from Republicans while DeSantis trailed in second with 21 percent as of 11:15 p.m. Around 250 people showed up to listen to DeSantis. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday the state is prepared to host America’s 250th birthday bash on the Iowa State Fairgrounds after President-elect Donald Trump floated the idea in 2023.

“We know the Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the Country!” Reynolds posted Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. “In Iowa, we dream big, and we stand ready to host the Great American State Fair!”

 

 

Trump originally pitched the idea in 2023, proposing a year-long celebration across all 50 states. The president-elect posted a video calling for the country to start “preparing for the most spectacular birthday party,” featuring global leaders and citizens for America’s 250th birthday in 2026.

Trump plans for Iowa to be the epicenter of the celebration scheduled from Memorial Day to July 4, 2026.

“My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival,” Trump said in the 2023 video.

Reynolds’ post follows Trump’s win of the Hawkeye state on Election Day, and the subsequent defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris to secure a second term.

Trump beat Harris 56 percent to 43 percent of the vote in Iowa, according to unofficial results. However, a Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released three days before Election Day, found Harris leading Trump by three percentage points among likely voters.

Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said there are no official plans for the state to host the celebration, according to the Des Moines Register.

Parsons said there has been no formal request or inquiry made for the use of the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

In his 2023 video proposing the idea for a Great American State Fair, Trump said the event would feature sporting contests for high school athletes, which he dubbed “Patriot Games.” Trump said there will also be pavilions from all 50 states, and he would sign an executive order to recreate the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden honoring “great figures of America’s history.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird wrote on X in response to Reynolds’ post that Iowa is ready to make history with Trump.

“The GREATEST fair of all time for the greatest nation on earth! And nobody knows how to do a fair like Iowa. Mr. President-elect, the people of Iowa are ready to make history with you once again!” Bird wrote.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, reelected to Congress on Tuesday, also responded to Reynolds on X, telling Iowans to mark the Great American State Fair on their calendars.

“The Great American S[t]ate Fair in Iowa is going to be an epic celebration of America’s 250th birthday!” Hinson wrote.

U.S. Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, wrote on X, “This is a fabulous idea and Iowa is the place to hold it. We are honored and will make it great!”

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