Photo Essay: Worldtown Festival Celebrates World Cup and Philadelphia’s International Diversity

On June 14, the Piazza at Schmidt’s (1001 N. 2nd St.) played host to “Wordtown Festival: World Cup Edition.”

Andrea Van Grinsven, for GPA -- Global Philadelphians and soccer lovers alike gathered at the Piazza at Schmidt’s on June 14 for the first annual Worldtown Festival: World Cup Edition. Worldtown Party, a Philadelphia-based organization and self-proclaimed international party movement hosted the free, family-friendly event. Worldtown Party has been bridging people, music and the arts together since it began in 2011. An estimated 10,000 people came throughout the day to participate in the celebration of the World Cup and international cultures.

The Piazza at Schmidt’s is an open-air plaza in Northern Liberties that opened in 2009 as part of the ongoing revitalization of Northern Liberties. The Piazza hosts concerts, festivals, sports broadcasts, markets and other events year-round.

The Global Philadelphia Association reached out to Philadelphia’s international community to celebrate this global and cultural event. The event’s sponsorship proceeds benefitted the Philadelphia YMCA, Small But Mighty Arts, FIG Family Restoration Corporation and MAJR Magazine.

Live broadcasts of the Colombia v. Greece, Costa Rica v. Uruguay, and England v. Italy games on the Piazza’s 40’ LED screen were a focal point of the Worldtown Festival. Fans at the festival celebrated victories for Colombia, Costa Rica, and Italy.

The festival’s bazaar featured a diverse offering of food, fashion, soccer merchandise and artisan goods. Worldtown Festival sought out vendors with an international and multicultural focus to give their attendees a truly World Cup feel.

Live bands and DJs, including Worldtown Sound System, performed on the Piazza’s stage and played a wide variety of international music, ranging from Salsa to Reggae. The area in front of the stage was utilized for dance performances and workshops.

Attendees of all ages were able to challenge each other to soccer tournaments of their own.