World Fair US Featuring Cuisine, Culture And Art Comes To SeatGeek Stadium

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — Tastes and culture from six continents will be on display when the World Fair US opens Monday at Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium, 7100 S. Harlem Ave. World Fair US runs from July 7 through July 28.

Organizers are hoping to recreate the successes they experienced at the 2020 World’s Fair hosted in Dubai. Six pavilions will represent the world’s major continents and regions – Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America – through culture, entertainment and food.

Omar Al Taha, the founder, said his team has put together an immersive experience for visitors that will be like none other they have experienced in the past. Each pavilion features an entertainment stage along with a main stage showcasing an array of performances, including:

• Benise – Emmy Award–winning Spanish guitar and world music artist, known for fiery performances that blend flamenco, salsa, and rock.
• Spirit Bomb – Anime music tribute band.
• Marty “Big Dog” Mercer Band – Chicago-based blues band delivering soulful, crowd-pleasing sets rooted in American tradition.
• McNulty Irish Dancers – Irish step dancers.
• Egwu Dance Company – Pan-African modern dance and rhythm.
• Toolieka Nikam – Bollywood dance star and instructor.
• Tzu-Tsen Wu – Master of the Zhong Ruan, a sought-after educator, and a boundary-breaking musical storyteller whose award-winning performances span continents.
• Ballet Folkloriko de Chicago – preserves and celebrates the vibrant traditions of Mexico through stunning regional dances, vivid costumes, and powerful storytelling on stage.
• Cecy Santana – Blending samba, jazz, funk, and pop, Cecy Santana brings bold Brazilian energy to the stage. A powerhouse vocalist and composer, her electrifying sound is as dynamic as her performance.

More entertainers will be announced during the fair.

The World Food Court features a curated lineup of local chefs and small businesses offering traditional dishes from across the globe, Al-Taha said.

Among the World Fair US menu varieties, attendees will be able to enjoy and explore traditional dishes from each continent, including: Asian street food; Mexican tacos; Middle Eastern shawarma; European pastries; Southern-style BBQ; and more.

“The vendors have been selected for their authenticity, quality, and passion for sharing their culture through cuisine,” Al Taha said. “World Fair US is about more than celebration—it’s about connection. We wanted to create a space where people of every background can come together, learn from each other, and just enjoy the beauty of being human.”

During the three-week world fair, fireworks will be blasted on Friday and Saturday night.

“Every pavilion tells a story, and every guest becomes part of it. Whether you’re eating something new for the first time, dancing to a rhythm you’ve never heard, or just watching your kids’ eyes light up—we built this for you," Al-Taha said. “We’re not just showcasing cultures. We’re inviting you to step inside them, taste them, dance with them, and walk away with something that stays with you.”

Each pavilion offers an immersive experience through: Daily folkloric performances showcasing traditional music and dance; handcrafted goods and artisanal products from different cultures; authentic cuisine representing regional flavors; and, culturally-inspired architectural facades that bring each continent to life.

From Ume the tiger in the Asia Pavilion to Bruce the brown bear in North America, each region is brought to life with its own mascot, adding a fun, family-friendly way for kids to connect with global stories.

Families and children will also be able to enjoy carnival rides, and the many cultural displays in and around the six pavilions.

The fair is open from 3 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Single day tickets are $20, and youth tickets (ages 4–15): $10. Family ticket packages are available for $85 for a group of five to eight family members. Children 3 and under are free. Purchase tickets online at WorldsFairUS or at the gate.

Admission includes access to all pavilions, cultural performances, and main stage shows. Food, crafts, and rides are available for purchase. SeatGeek Stadium is located at 7100 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview.