By Rich Schott
Wow, what an absolutely incredible day at the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair in Washington D.C.! It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I’m still buzzing from all the excitement.
We started our adventure by hopping on the metro from New Carrollton, making our way down to Federal Triangle. The weather was perfect – a beautiful 80-degree day, ideal for exploring. As we arrived, it was immediately clear this was going to be special. Tens of thousands of people had gathered from all corners of the globe, and the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so friendly, so happy to be there, and there was this overwhelming sense of unity and patriotism that I’ve never experienced before. It was, hands down, the most profoundly pro-United States event I’ve ever attended.
What really struck me was how faith-based the entire event was. It was incredible to be part of something so spiritual and uplifting. We were all handed these "Great American State Fair" passports, and the mission was to get them stamped by every state we "visited." It was such a fun way to engage with the different representations.
One of the most surreal and powerful moments was getting to sign the Declaration of Independence. Knowing that it was officially binding made it incredibly special, a tangible connection to our nation's history. So many government agencies were present, offering insights into their work, and it was amazing to see most of the states and territories showcasing what makes them unique. I tried to capture as much as I could with photos, exploring all the different areas and soaking it all in.
Texas and Florida really stood out with their impressive displays, truly showing off the best of their states. Jen had an absolute blast experiencing West Virginia through their driving simulator that featured karaoke to the iconic song “Country Roads” – it was pure fun! We learned so many fascinating facts about different states, and it’s a real shame for those that chose not to participate for political reasons and missed out on this incredible opportunity for international exposure.
The whole day was packed with activities and shows for all ages. We bounced between live music performances on several stages, and the large FIFA fan zone, with the majestic Capitol building as its backdrop, was just beautiful. The 24/7 worship tent was also a major highlight, and the presence of a pool for immediate baptisms was, frankly, incredible. Can you believe they even had a rodeo right in the middle of the National Mall?
Jen was in absolute heaven throughout the day, fully immersed in playing games and collecting all the FREE giveaways. Her bags are overflowing with treasures, and it’s going to take her a few days to go through it all!
To cap off our amazing day, Jen and I rode the huge red, white, and blue Ferris wheel. Seeing the fair from above as the sun began to set was magical. On the metro ride back, Jen checked her watch, revealing we had walked an astounding 16,568 steps – that’s 7.82 miles, and did it all in flip-flops!
It was such an unforgettable day, the kind of experience every American should have the chance to be a part of. It was genuinely magical, and I’m so grateful we were able to be there. I look forward to our next Washington D.C. adventure soon!
Jen - Country Roads, West Virginia
Robot Dog
Roping at the Rodeo
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