Celebrations continue for America鈥檚 250th birthday

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Celebrations continue for America鈥檚 250th birthday

July Fourth may be over, but America continues celebrating its 250th anniversary.

The Great American State Fair on the National Mall wraps up on July 10 with the theme 鈥淭he Next 250: Innovation.鈥� The Smithsonian Folklife Festival鈥檚 marketplace, which brings together artists and makers from diverse backgrounds, remains open through July 12.

Two big events are coming up in August. High school athletes from across the country will compete in the 2026 Patriot Games from August 9-11, with scholarship prizes at stake. Then the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be the first-ever IndyCar race in D.C. on August 22 and 23.

Local museums have ongoing exhibits for America鈥檚 250th birthday. At the National Museum of American History, 鈥淚n Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness鈥� showcases 250 objects spanning from the 1700s to today. At the National Gallery of Art, 鈥淒ear America鈥� explores how artists have reflected on the American experience over the past 250 years.

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Linh Bui

Linh most recently worked at WJZ in Baltimore as a reporter and anchor from 2013-2023 and is now teaching at the University of Maryland. Prior to moving to the D.C. region, Linh worked as a reporter and anchor at stations in Fort Myers, Fla. and Macon, Ga.