America’s Metro System to celebrate 50 years of service with exhibition at Great American State Fair; new America-themed wraps and Smart Trip cards to debut

In celebration of Metro’s 50th Anniversary and America’s 250th, Metro today announced its participation at the Great American State Fair with an exhibition titled “America’s Metro System.” The exhibition is a nod to Metro’s past and present, featuring Metro’s very first 1000-series railcar refurbished to its 1976-era glory and a new 8000-series railcar, the newest addition to the fleet. The first 8000-series test cars are expected to arrive in late 2027. This exhibition will be featured on the National Mall among other exhibitors representing all 50 states during the 15-day showcase.  

Metro’s five decades of service to the National Capital Region will be highlighted in the exhibition through historic photographs and artifacts, interactive displays, educational activities, multimedia experiences, and explorations of the future of transportation and mobility. The exhibition connects Metro to the broader story of American infrastructure, accessibility, innovation, and growth. 

“For 50 years, Metro has connected people across the region to jobs, schools, healthcare, culture, and opportunity,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “This exhibition celebrates the people, partnerships, and progress that helped shape Metro’s first five decades while highlighting the important role public transportation continues to play in the future of our region and country.” 

A dedicated gallery of archival images in the train cars will highlight key milestones in Metro’s history, including system expansions, engineering achievements, customer experience improvements, and investments that continue to support the region’s growth and connectivity. 

“Metro’s story is, above all, about the communities and customers we serve each day,” said Metro Board Chair Valerie Santos. “This milestone is not just a moment of celebration, but a testament to the employees, riders, and regional partners who power our progress and keep our region moving.” 

The Great American State Fair will bring together exhibitions, educational programming, entertainment, and interactive experiences focused on American history, culture, innovation, and community as part of the national semiquincentennial celebration. 

Exhibition Information 

America’s Metro System at the Great American State Fair 

Where: National Mall near 4th and Madison Dr. NW  

Nearest security entrance at 7th and Madison Dr. NW or 7th and Jefferson Dr. NW 

Nearest Metro stations: Archives and L’Enfant Plaza (Exit A)

Dates: June 25 – July 10, 2026 

Hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays – Wednesdays 

10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays 

10 a.m. - midnight on July 4 

More information and details will be posted to Metro50th.com closer to the event dates.  

Celebrating America's 250 Special edition vehicle wraps and Smart Trip cards  

“Celebrating America’s 250” vehicle wraps and Smart Trip cards will also make their debut on June 25. 

One train, three buses, and a Metro Access vehicle will be out in the system and trackable on a map at wmata.com/live and clicking “special edition.” 

In addition, 20,000 special edition Smart Trip cards will be released on June 25 at seven stations: Metro Center, L’Enfant Plaza, Navy Yard, Smithsonian, Union Station, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.  

The cards will be available while supplies last. Just look for specially marked signs on top of fare vending machines. 

About Metro

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider, serving a population of approximately four million people across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia within a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction.  With a network of six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and a door-to-door paratransit service, Metro is the second busiest transit system in the United States serving 268.9 million trips in 2025 with a $5 billion operating and capital budget. Since 2022, Metro has completed multiple transit-oriented development projects that have brought $15 million in tax revenue to the region from housing, office, and retail space in our community. Safety and security are core values at Metro. Over 30,000 cameras monitor the system, and Metro currently has the lowest crime rate in history with fare evasion declining on rail and bus. In 2025, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named Metro the Transit Agency of the Year in recognition of industry-leading ridership growth, record high customer satisfaction, a newly redesigned Bus network, expanded rail service, and improved customer experience. 

About the Great American State Fair

The Great American State Fair is a national celebration of culture, innovation, history, education, and community engagement. Presented during America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the fair brings together exhibitions, entertainment, educational programming, and experiences that honor the American spirit and future.