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D.C. suffers from a July 4 hangover after 250 extravaganza

A late night, too much sun, and a heaping dose of secondhand smoke.

News

Washington is recovering from all the ingredients of an epic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July 4" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/trump-fourth-of-july-speech-delayed" data-vars-content-id="60c4044e-1111-4328-b19d-a08881cb192f" data-vars-headline="D.C. suffers from a July 4 hangover after 250 extravaganza" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/trump-fourth-of-july-speech-delayed" target="_self">July 4</a> hangover: a late night, too much sun, and a heaping dose of secondhand smoke.Why it matters: The lead-up to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th extravaganza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/08/residents-dread-america-250-events-road-closures-security-tourism" data-vars-content-id="60c4044e-1111-4328-b19d-a08881cb192f" data-vars-headline="D.C. suffers from a July 4 hangover after 250 extravaganza" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/08/residents-dread-america-250-events-road-closures-security-tourism" target="_self">250th extravaganza</a> — a swath of road, airspace and river closures; hordes of tourists and traffic — had already put locals on edge.

Virginia is joining the DMV's legal cannabis market. Here's what changes

For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July.

Now, they&#x27;re preparing for a more competitive regional market.Virginia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal weed market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" data-vars-content-id="9995ef6f-fb97-4d08-bb94-6d440ec7d790" data-vars-headline="Virginia is joining the DMV&#x27;s legal cannabis market. Here&#x27;s what changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/19/virginia-retail-marijuana-sales-bill-2026" target="_self">legal weed market</a> is about to shake up the DMV&#x27;s cannabis scene.Why it matters: For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July, reshuffling where customers, tax dollars and businesses flow across the region.

Exclusive: Maryland, Virginia senators demand Trump's East Potomac golf plans

The Trump administration has yet to release final plans for the site.

Senators from Maryland and Virginia are demanding the Trump administration reveal details about its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac golf course" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/28/trump-dc-golf-course-renovation-east-potomac-links" data-vars-content-id="8188ba26-78f4-49b1-a710-0ef76f9da764" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Maryland, Virginia senators demand Trump&#x27;s East Potomac golf plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/28/trump-dc-golf-course-renovation-east-potomac-links" target="_self">East Potomac golf course</a> redevelopment. Why it matters: President Trump has vowed to transform East Potomac into a championship-level course, but key details — including how much land it&#x27;ll occupy and whether everyday golfers will still be able to afford it — remain unclear.

National Book Festival returns to D.C. with a stacked lineup

Expect big names like Cynthia Erivo, Martin Scorsese and Kate McKinnon.

Things to Do

The Library of Congress has released the author lineup for this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Book Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/09/library-congress-national-book-festival-dc-lineup" data-vars-content-id="40d5b279-ed5b-44c0-8ccc-6622362b65c9" data-vars-headline="National Book Festival returns to D.C. with a stacked lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/09/library-congress-national-book-festival-dc-lineup" target="_self">National Book Festival</a> on Aug. 22 — and it&#x27;s stacked.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a chance to see tons of big-name writers and celebs all in one day and all in your backyard.

What the DMV should have put in the America 250 time capsule

Culture

We at Axios D.C. were, shall we say, underwhelmed by what D.C., Maryland and Virginia chose to put in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250 time capsule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/americas-time-capsule-additions" data-vars-content-id="ae025322-52d2-4304-b5ba-4894ab080b9d" data-vars-headline="What the DMV should have put in the America 250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/americas-time-capsule-additions" target="_self">250 time capsule</a>. (Spoiler: It was coins.)Why it matters: The capsule contains <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artifacts" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" data-vars-content-id="ae025322-52d2-4304-b5ba-4894ab080b9d" data-vars-headline="What the DMV should have put in the America 250 time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" target="_blank">artifacts</a> from all 50 states and six territories and was buried on the Fourth of July in Philly, where it will be dug up 250 years from now.

D.C. hotels roll out lux $250,000 July 4 packages

Your stay will come with private jets, yachts, jewels and chauffeurs.

D.C. hotels are ringing in America&#x27;s 250th birthday via lavish offerings with price tags that would make our Founding Fathers freak.Why it matters: While Washington&#x27;s 250th celebrations have been plagued by some less-than-stellar headlines — reports of anemic crowds and offerings at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" data-vars-content-id="0369d038-08ab-460d-b635-bdc05aae0d38" data-vars-headline="D.C. hotels roll out lux $250,000 July 4 packages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" target="_self">Great American State Fair</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locals dreading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/08/residents-dread-america-250-events-road-closures-security-tourism" data-vars-content-id="0369d038-08ab-460d-b635-bdc05aae0d38" data-vars-headline="D.C. hotels roll out lux $250,000 July 4 packages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/08/residents-dread-america-250-events-road-closures-security-tourism" target="_self">locals dreading</a> all the hubbub — it seems plenty of visitors are still coming to town for the big milestone.

Inside the Great American State Fair's carnival of contrasts

We went to the National Mall to see it for ourselves. Here's what we found on MAHA Monday.

Washington has a new pastime: Roasting the Great American State Fair.Why it matters: The Trump administration-backed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom 250" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" data-vars-content-id="73fc0632-1de9-44a0-81f7-71f5014a039c" data-vars-headline="Inside the Great American State Fair&#x27;s carnival of contrasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" target="_self">Freedom 250</a> event stumbled before it even opened, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="musicians canceling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" data-vars-content-id="73fc0632-1de9-44a0-81f7-71f5014a039c" data-vars-headline="Inside the Great American State Fair&#x27;s carnival of contrasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" target="_self">musicians canceling</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="states pulling out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-states-skipping-america-250-fair-12124184" data-vars-content-id="73fc0632-1de9-44a0-81f7-71f5014a039c" data-vars-headline="Inside the Great American State Fair&#x27;s carnival of contrasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-states-skipping-america-250-fair-12124184" target="_blank">states pulling out</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/23/great-american-state-fair-food-bub-and-pops" data-vars-content-id="73fc0632-1de9-44a0-81f7-71f5014a039c" data-vars-headline="Inside the Great American State Fair&#x27;s carnival of contrasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/23/great-american-state-fair-food-bub-and-pops" target="_self">food vendors</a> jumping ship.<ul><li>Now that it&#x27;s underway, critics are comparing it to D.C.&#x27;s version of Glasgow&#x27;s infamous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Willy Wonka" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/3hairymutts/status/2070436168622051508?s=20" data-vars-content-id="73fc0632-1de9-44a0-81f7-71f5014a039c" data-vars-headline="Inside the Great American State Fair&#x27;s carnival of contrasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/3hairymutts/status/2070436168622051508?s=20" target="_blank">Willy Wonka</a> experience — so of course we had to check it out on &quot;MAHA Monday.&quot;</li></ul>

This new D.C.-based novel reimagines Metro as a portal through time

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="novel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/maidenheads-novel-indie-music-queer-history" data-vars-content-id="cb165e7d-fd20-4715-9a22-d7b864f57f37" data-vars-headline="This new D.C.-based novel reimagines Metro as a portal through time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/maidenheads-novel-indie-music-queer-history" target="_self">novel</a> is out this week that&#x27;s partly based in D.C. and reimagines the Metro as a time-traveling portal.Why it matters: Who among us hasn&#x27;t wanted to escape reality while riding the Red Line…

UFC lands in D.C., but indie wrestling is still sidelined

A push to bring grassroots wrestling back to D.C. is underway.

As a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UFC cage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/trump-white-house-ufc-fight" data-vars-content-id="94513d52-f08f-4924-9fb1-2bb2b2c9261e" data-vars-headline="UFC lands in D.C., but indie wrestling is still sidelined" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/trump-white-house-ufc-fight" target="_self">UFC cage</a> rises on the White House lawn, D.C.&#x27;s indie wrestling community is watching from the &#x27;burbs.Why it matters: The buzz around Sunday&#x27;s mixed martial arts competition comes amid a push to ease D.C.&#x27;s stringent regulations that have forced smaller <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrestling" data-vars-click-url="https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/594359/d-c-was-a-haven-for-marginalized-pro-wrestlers-until-the-citys-sports-commission-regulated-it-to-death/" data-vars-content-id="94513d52-f08f-4924-9fb1-2bb2b2c9261e" data-vars-headline="UFC lands in D.C., but indie wrestling is still sidelined" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/594359/d-c-was-a-haven-for-marginalized-pro-wrestlers-until-the-citys-sports-commission-regulated-it-to-death/" target="_blank">wrestling</a> groups to decamp to Maryland and Virginia.

New D.C. novel by 1A journalist follows a "messy" polyamorous journey

"They All Fall in Love at the End" is out now.

There&#x27;s a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="novel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/maidenheads-novel-indie-music-queer-history" data-vars-content-id="f9e39fe6-6925-432d-a49d-6a6e18dd2e47" data-vars-headline="New D.C. novel by 1A journalist follows a &quot;messy&quot; polyamorous journey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/maidenheads-novel-indie-music-queer-history" target="_self">novel</a> out by a local journalist about a young woman in D.C. who enters her &quot;messy love triangle era&quot; when she begins practicing polyamory.Why it matters: The author — 1A producer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Haili Blassingame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/03/nx-s1-5670371/new-novel-explores-the-messy-middle-of-living-a-non-monogamous-life" data-vars-content-id="f9e39fe6-6925-432d-a49d-6a6e18dd2e47" data-vars-headline="New D.C. novel by 1A journalist follows a &quot;messy&quot; polyamorous journey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/03/nx-s1-5670371/new-novel-explores-the-messy-middle-of-living-a-non-monogamous-life" target="_blank">Haili Blassingame</a> — is a Washingtonian who originally wrote about her own experience with non-monogamy in a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Modern Love" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/style/modern-love-my-choice-isnt-marriage-or-loneliness.html" data-vars-content-id="f9e39fe6-6925-432d-a49d-6a6e18dd2e47" data-vars-headline="New D.C. novel by 1A journalist follows a &quot;messy&quot; polyamorous journey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/style/modern-love-my-choice-isnt-marriage-or-loneliness.html" target="_blank">Modern Love</a>&quot; column.

This new novel explores D.C.'s indie music scene and queer culture

Fire up your Libby app: There&#x27;s a new D.C.-based novel out this week from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local author" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/04/washington-dc-kids-book-111-places-austin-graff" data-vars-content-id="b3d7b4d5-b8d9-4fb4-a36c-217e5834fbe6" data-vars-headline="This new novel explores D.C.&#x27;s indie music scene and queer culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/04/washington-dc-kids-book-111-places-austin-graff" target="_self">local author</a>.Why it matters: The book takes readers on a journey through the District&#x27;s indie music scene and its queer culture and history, with plenty of local references along the way.

A new Dupont pop-up is telling D.C.'s story for America 250

We Make D.C. is part store, part art installation, and part crafting space.

There&#x27;s a new space in Dupont Circle that&#x27;s commemorating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/07/dc-america-250-events-locals-guide" data-vars-content-id="e87dd475-719d-43fa-b613-4e6add694a3f" data-vars-headline="A new Dupont pop-up is telling D.C.&#x27;s story for America 250" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/07/dc-america-250-events-locals-guide" target="_self">250th anniversary</a> by highlighting D.C.&#x27;s history and creative community.Why it matters: Many of the 250th happenings focus on America at large — this one is all about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/wemakedc250/" data-vars-content-id="e87dd475-719d-43fa-b613-4e6add694a3f" data-vars-headline="A new Dupont pop-up is telling D.C.&#x27;s story for America 250" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/wemakedc250/" target="_blank">District</a>, created by Stacey Price, the founder of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shop Made in D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wemakedc.net/about-us" data-vars-content-id="e87dd475-719d-43fa-b613-4e6add694a3f" data-vars-headline="A new Dupont pop-up is telling D.C.&#x27;s story for America 250" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wemakedc.net/about-us" target="_blank">Shop Made in D.C.</a>

A massive "human composting" facility just opened outside D.C.

Earth Funeral just opened the East Coast's largest natural organic reduction facility in Howard County.

The green burial boom is here — a huge &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="human composting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" data-vars-content-id="161dad19-c1af-4064-b682-e1395ec040ed" data-vars-headline="A massive &quot;human composting&quot; facility just opened outside D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" target="_self">human composting</a>&quot; site just opened outside D.C., bringing a fast-growing, eco-friendly death care option close to home.Why it matters: Maryland legalized human composting two years ago, paving the way for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Earth Funeral" data-vars-click-url="https://earthfuneral.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=GA_Search_Brand_Exact_US_2&amp;utm_content=623022695674&amp;utm_term=earth%20funeral&amp;utm_campaign_id=18387002872&amp;utm_adgroup=GA_Search_Brand_Exact&amp;utm_adgroup_id=141533093277&amp;utm_ad_id=623022695674&amp;utm_placement=&amp;utm_match_type=e&amp;utm_device=c&amp;utm_network=g&amp;utm_location=9007537&amp;utm_site_domain=&amp;utm_site_id=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_acc=9039600664&amp;hsa_cam=18387002872&amp;hsa_grp=141533093277&amp;hsa_ad=623022695674&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_kw=earth%20funeral&amp;hsa_mt=e&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=18387002872&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoXksEqgCGzov0vRiRJKvFCCs85gu&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3KsDEm5ia_PnjhXZJNav0zPtomtHxPvG8rmP_heOPFLUglRkf2J4XAaAqdJEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="161dad19-c1af-4064-b682-e1395ec040ed" data-vars-headline="A massive &quot;human composting&quot; facility just opened outside D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://earthfuneral.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=GA_Search_Brand_Exact_US_2&amp;utm_content=623022695674&amp;utm_term=earth%20funeral&amp;utm_campaign_id=18387002872&amp;utm_adgroup=GA_Search_Brand_Exact&amp;utm_adgroup_id=141533093277&amp;utm_ad_id=623022695674&amp;utm_placement=&amp;utm_match_type=e&amp;utm_device=c&amp;utm_network=g&amp;utm_location=9007537&amp;utm_site_domain=&amp;utm_site_id=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_acc=9039600664&amp;hsa_cam=18387002872&amp;hsa_grp=141533093277&amp;hsa_ad=623022695674&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_kw=earth%20funeral&amp;hsa_mt=e&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=18387002872&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoXksEqgCGzov0vRiRJKvFCCs85gu&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3KsDEm5ia_PnjhXZJNav0zPtomtHxPvG8rmP_heOPFLUglRkf2J4XAaAqdJEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Earth Funeral</a> to open one of the world&#x27;s largest facilities in Howard County — giving East Coast families access to a process that often required transporting loved ones across the country.

In D.C., social dispensaries are becoming the new bars

On-site consumption permits are transforming D.C. dispensaries into social hubs.

D.C. dispensaries are starting to feel less like retail counters and more like lounges or wellness retreats, thanks to evolving rules that allow on-site consumption and social experiences beyond buying bud.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s cannabis culture is moving more mainstream — closer to the jump from Prohibition-era speakeasies to lively bars (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sans alcohol" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/02/dc-cannabis-drinks-breweries-distilleries-bill" data-vars-content-id="93501a07-7734-4e0f-8344-bae8c25ca6a0" data-vars-headline="In D.C., social dispensaries are becoming the new bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/02/dc-cannabis-drinks-breweries-distilleries-bill" target="_self">sans alcohol</a>, of course).