Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill that would prohibit the regulation of firework displays during the Fourth of July, paving the way for a yearlong celebration lauded by President Donald Trump ahead of the United States’ 250th birthday next summer.
Iowa’s Senate File 303 would prohibit local governments from regulating the use of fireworks by Iowa residents on July 3 and 4. After passing in the House, the bill is heading to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk.
The bill comes two years after Trump proposed the idea of a Great American State Fair to be held in Iowa in July 2026 for the country’s anniversary milestone.
“Current law allows a patchwork of ordinances that are a trap for the unwary patriotic American in Iowa who simply wants to celebrate Independence Day the way it was intended by our founding fathers and the way it has been for centuries,” Republican Iowa Rep. Bill Gustoff said on the House floor. “In too many communities in Iowa, they can’t do that.”
As the bill’s fate lies in Reynolds’ hands, here’s what to know about the legislation, Trump’s proposed Great American Fair and Iowa’s plans for 2026 Fourth of July.
If passed, what would Iowa’s firework bill do?
If signed into law by Reynolds, Senate File 303 would prohibit city and county governments from regulating or prohibiting Iowans’ use of consumer fireworks on July 3 and 4, and on Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve.
In a 2024 social media post, Reynolds said the state of Iowa would “stand ready to host the Great American State Fair.”
Reynolds will make a decision within 30 days of May 12.
Des Moines Register: Iowans could shoot off fireworks on 4th of July, New Year’s Eve under bill sent to Reynolds
What is the Great American Fair?
In 2023, Trump proposed the idea of hosting the Great American Fair. To be held from Memorial Day 2025 to July 4, 2026, Trump said the event would be headquartered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Though plans for such an event have yet to be shared.
“President Trump is igniting patriotism in the hearts of Americans nationwide,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to USA TODAY. “The Great American State Fair will be an unforgettable celebration of our country’s heritage ahead of our historic 250th anniversary.”
In January, Trump signed an executive order that created Task Force 250.
As outlined by the order and headed by Trump, Task Force 250 is responsible for planning and executing “an extraordinary celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence” on July 4, 2026. The task force is also responsible for the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden first proposed by the president in 2020 that is scheduled to open in July 2026.
“My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the heartland of America for this special one-time festival,” Trump said in the 2023 video.
Is the Great American Fair really happening?
Despite Trump’s executive order, plans for an official Great American Fair don’t appear to be in place yet.
“Although we are biased and believe the Iowa State Fair is the best, we have received no official requests or inquiries for the Great American Fair at this time,” Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told USA TODAY on May 13.
However, the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America250, is a nonprofit dedicated to the celebration of the 250th anniversary across the country. The America250 lists several events throughout the country on its website but does not mention any details about the Great American Fair.
National Garden of American Heroes: NEH hiring artists for Trump’s 250-statue garden plan. It just cut 1,000 other grants.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add new information and a statement from the White House.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at sabine.martin@gannett.com or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: America’s 250th: Iowa adjusts firework laws for milestone July 4 party
