President Donald Trump is set to launch the yearlong “America250” celebration marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines tonight, July 3, 2025. This event, organized by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, is designed to kick off a nationwide commemoration leading up to July 4, 2026, with a focus on uniting the country through patriotism and shared values. The festivities will feature displays of Americana, live musical performances, including by Lee Greenwood, known for “God Bless the USA,” and a fireworks show, aiming to create a carnival-like atmosphere reminiscent of historic state and world fairs. Trump’s choice of Iowa, the heartland of America, underscores his vision to bridge national divides, as emphasized by U.S. Ambassador Monica Crowley, who highlighted Iowa’s central location as symbolic of unity.

During his visit, Trump plans to engage with the rich cultural and agricultural heritage of the Iowa State Fairgrounds, a venue he has frequented during past campaigns, including in 2015 and 2023. He is expected to explore pavilions showcasing Iowa’s agricultural prowess, such as exhibits featuring the iconic life-sized butter cow sculpture and local vendors offering deep-fried treats, which embody the state’s middle-American spirit. Additionally, Trump will likely interact with local farmers and small business owners, reinforcing his policy achievements in trade that have benefited Iowa’s agricultural community, as he hinted in a Truth Social post. These interactions align with his broader vision for the “Great American State Fair,” which he proposed in 2023 to include pavilions from all 50 states, though current plans focus on a broader national celebration.

Beyond the fairgrounds, Trump’s agenda includes celebrating Iowa’s role in the semiquincentennial with local politicians, including Governor Kim Reynolds, and federal officials like Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He aims to highlight initiatives like the “Patriot Games” for high school athletes and the revival of the National Garden of American Heroes, a statuary park honoring figures like Frederick Douglass and Amelia Earhart, which he reintroduced via an executive order in January 2025. The event will also set the stage for a two-week fair on the National Mall in 2026, featuring exhibits from all 50 states. Trump’s visit, blending policy discussions with festive displays, seeks to inspire civic pride and set a patriotic tone for the yearlong celebration, despite the lack of concrete plans for the originally envisioned Great American State Fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.