A budget obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) shows that Freedom 250 events—from the empty crowds of the Great American State Fair to the low-key energy of the president’s military parade—were projected to cost $128.45 million.
Wondering how much each of the events cost? The Great American State Fair (best known for its lack of crowds and melted ice cream) was allocated about $25 million. The July Fourth “Salute to America” celebration (which turned into a MAGA-style rally with not-so-family-friendly midnight fireworks) was budgeted at $20 million. The Patriot Games (think Hunger Games with more school athletes and less violence) were projected to cost $18.5 million.