With a 110-ft (33.5-m) Ferris wheel, a rodeo demonstration and an eye-popping array of junk food, “The Great American State Fair” opened on Washington’s National Mall on Thursday to start a 16-day celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.Notably, the first couple of days drew sparse crowds. It remains unclear what the July 4th holiday week will bring. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Saturday said the Trump administration was planning the “greatest and biggest celebration of fireworks ever”. Much of the 2.5-km promenade linking the US Capitol with the towering Washington Monument has been fenced off for the event, which President Donald Trump kicked off on Wednesday night with a campaign-style rally organised after many of the performers who had been scheduled to appear dropped out, citing concerns about the event taking on a partisan tone.The event is one of a series of events across the nation leading up to the July 4 Independence Day holiday, which commemorates the American colonists’ Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1776.Crowds have been dotted with supporters wearing the red hats of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement — a common sight in Washington. Seven US states — all with Democratic Governors — have declined to send official delegations to the fair, though the event’s Freedom 250 organisers said all 50 would be represented.