Country, Motown, rap, R&B? How about a little Poison?
The Great American State Fair has it all as part of its music lineup for the Freedom 250 celebration this summer in the nation’s capital, honoring the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence.
The fair will feature such diverse performers as Martina McBride, Vanilla Ice, The Commodores, Flo-Rida, Morris Day and The Time, and Bret Michaels.
Those names, plus Young MC, the artist behind the 1989 hit “Bust A Move,” Milli Vanilli, and military bands, will entertain thousands at the family-friendly event that will stretch from the United States Capitol to the Washington Monument.
The music will take place on the main stage on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night for the 16-day event. (But in a dream world, at some point, they’d all sing ‘God Bless The USA’ together in a ‘We Are The World’ moment.)
The event also brings together all 50 states and six U.S. territories in a grand fair celebration.
The evening entertainment schedule can be found below, but for Poison fans, Bret Michaels will close out the shows on July 3.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The lineup for The Great American State Fair is here — and it’s bringing the hits. 🇺🇸🎶
Martina McBride, Young MC, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels …and many more.
16 days. 56 states… pic.twitter.com/DJdypWJl3P
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) May 27, 2026
Evening performances:
Martina McBride – June 25
I love the 90s – June 26
The Commodores & Morris Day and The Time – June 27
Flo Rida – July 2
Bret Michaels – July 3
Will Michaels bring the Rock of Love bus? No idea what that is? Sorry, Gen-Z, you missed out.
The music will be the soundtrack behind the 110-foot Ferris wheel and the newly updated Smithsonian National Carousel.
“The Great American State Fair is America on display and a moment for America to come together,” said Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach. “The performers, innovators, military heroes, and everyday Americans showcased here represent the very best of who we are, and the boundless opportunity ahead.”
In the upcoming weeks, Freedom 250 will continue to announce more performers, speakers, and participants. So there is still a chance President Donald Trump’s good buddy Kid Rock will make an appearance on stage.
Outside of performances, the state fair will have state and territory showcases from across the country, including robotics and autonomous vehicle demonstrations, augmented reality activations, and innovation exhibits.
The Great American State Fair is from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall.
Other Freedom 250 signature events include Salute to America, the Patriot Games, UFC Freedom 250, and the newly announced Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
The event is free, but organizers encourage early registration for the fair here.
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