‘Rodeo 250’ To Replace National Mall Concert After Backlash Over Trump Independence Day Rally

The UFC cage match to honor President Trump on his 80th birthday was a barn burner, but it’s about to take second fiddle to the rodeo coming to town. The Trump-backed “Freedom 250” organizers tasked to plan festivities to celebrate America’s 250th birthday have announced “Rodeo 250,” a full-scale Wild West extravaganza celebrating the history and culture of the American cowboy.The Independence Day celebrations, complete with trick riders, Wild West performances, and cattle drives, descend later this month on the National Mall in place of the original show first proposed by the president’s backers. “For generations, the cowboy has represented the very best of the American spirit — grit, determination, self-reliance, and optimism,” Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach said in a statement. “Rodeo 250 is more than a western showcase; it’s a celebration of the values and traditions that helped build our nation. As we commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to bring this uniquely American experience to the National Mall and share an important chapter of our nation’s story with visitors from across the country and around the world.”The rodeo will run from June 25 through July 10 as a signature attraction within the Great American State Fair on the Mall (tickets and full schedule of events are here). Produced by Cervi Rodeo Company, Rodeo 250 is designed not as a traditional competition but as a living historical experience. Promotional materials say audiences will be taken on a journey through the evolution of the American cowboy — from Spanish vaquero traditions and cattle drives to Wild West performances, charros, trick riding, Roman riding, trick roping, and the rise of modern professional rodeo.Set against the backdrop of the National Mall and some of the country’s most iconic monuments, the production will feature premier Western entertainers, horsemen, specialty acts, and cultural performers. Visitors can expect precision riding demonstrations, traditional Mexican charro performances, liberty horse exhibitions, and Western storytelling — all showcasing skills and traditions passed down through generations.“The story of the cowboy is the story of America,” said Binion Cervi of Cervi Rodeo Company. Shows will run Sunday through Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a special July 4 performance scheduled for 3 p.m. local time. Admission is free, though advance registration is encouraged. Walk-ups are welcome, and registration for the Great American State Fair grants entry to Rodeo 250.The rodeo is one of hundreds of attractions planned for the Great American State Fair, a first-of-its-kind national exposition inspired by World’s Fairs of the past. The fair will bring together all 50 states and six territories alongside leading American companies, cultural organizations, museums, military units, and innovators from across the country.The announcement of the rodeo comes after several high-profile musicians withdrew from the Trump-backed “Freedom 250” concert series on the National Mall, triggering an explosive response from Mr. Trump.The 16-day event, organized to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, lost a string of notable performers — including Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, The Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Young MC — after its partisan nature became apparent. Freedom 250, the organization Mr. Trump established to lead the country’s birthday celebrations, is separate from the America 250 Project that was created a decade ago in preparation for the semiquincentennial.Entertainers bailed in droves from the concert series after they said they were blindsided. Ms. McBride said she was misled into believing the performance would be a nonpartisan, unifying event, while Mr. Michaels said that the event evolved into something more divisive than what he had agreed to support. Young MC added that artists were never informed about the event’s heavy political overtones.Mr. Trump was not pleased. Taking to his Truth Social account, he labeled the departing musicians “overpriced singers who nobody wants to hear” and dismissed them as “third-rate ‘artists.'” He then suggested scrapping the musical lineup entirely in favor of a “giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY” — one he would headline himself with a major speech, claiming he draws crowds larger than Elvis.The rodeo may be the rush needed to follow Sunday night’s Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts on the White House lawn in honor of Flag Day and Mr. Trump’s 80th birthday. In the headlining matchup at the UFC Freedom 250 fights, American Justin Gaethje claimed the UFC lightweight title with a stunning — and very bloody — victory over Georgian and Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria.Mr. Topuria, who entered the bout undefeated at 17-0, saw his corner stop the fight between rounds four and five, handing him the first loss of his professional career. The bout was immediately declared a contender for Fight of the Year by ESPN. It was a night of relentless action — all seven bouts on the card ended in knockouts, a first for the UFC, with no fight reaching the judges’ scorecards.Speaking Monday in France where he is attending a G-7 Summit, the president congratulated President Emmanuel Macron for the interim heavyweight championship won by French fighter Ciryl Gane. “Last night, Ciryl Gane won the fight against a great fighter — supposed to be unbeatable — and Ciryl is from France… That was a great fight. It was a great evening at the White House,” the president said.

‘Rodeo 250’ To Replace National Mall Concert After Backlash Over Trump Independence Day Rally

‘Rodeo 250’ To Replace National Mall Concert After Backlash Over Trump Independence Day Rally

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