Make America the Early ’90s Again?
The musical lineup for a “World Fair-style celebration” on the National Mall marking America’s 250th birthday will include hip-hop acts Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida, organizers announced Wednesday.
The rappers will be joined by country star Martina McBride, “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” singers C+C Music Factory and Poison frontman Bret Michaels, according to Freedom 250, a public-private partnership backed by the Trump administration.
The Great American State Fair, a 16-day “national exposition,” kicks off June 25 and runs through July 10, with musical performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, according to a news release. The organizers said more musical acts would be announced in the coming weeks.
The festivities are designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
“The Great American State Fair is America on display and a moment for America to come together,” Freedom 250 chief executive Keith Krach said in a statement.
The fair “will bring together people from all 56 states and territories to celebrate the traditions, innovation, music, military heritage, freedom and entrepreneurial spirit that define our nation,” he added. “The performers, innovators, military heroes, and everyday Americans showcased here represent the very best of who we are, and the boundless opportunity ahead.”
The musical lineup features ’90s-era rapper Young MC (“Bust a Move”) and the soul band the Commodores (“Brick House”). The list also includes Morris Day and the Time (“Jungle Love”). However, the funk-rock group appeared to dispute that, saying in a post on Facebook, “It’s A No For Me.”
“Contrary to Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing At The ‘GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR,’” the group said in an image attached to the post.
