Island SPACE Mango Festival lands before World Cup match in South Florida

By AI, Created 1:41 PM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – Island SPACE Caribbean Museum will stage its third annual Mango Festival on June 21 in Pembroke Pines, offering Caribbean food, live music and family activities hours before Uruguay plays Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium. Organizers expect more than 1,500 attendees as World Cup traffic and international tourism build across South Florida.

Why it matters: - The festival gives World Cup visitors and South Florida residents a same-day cultural event minutes from Hard Rock Stadium. - The timing turns Father’s Day into a dual draw: Caribbean festival activities in the afternoon and FIFA World Cup action in the evening. - Organizers expect more than 1,500 attendees as international tourism and World Cup traffic increase across South Florida.

What happened: - Island SPACE Caribbean Museum will host the third annual Island SPACE Mango Festival on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 2–6 p.m. - The event will take place at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, Florida. - Uruguay will face Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium later that evening. - The venue is less than 20 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium. - Tickets are $25 for adults in advance, $35 at the door and $10 for children. - The Passport to Daddy’s Kingdom and Mango Sommelier Experience each cost $50 and include general admission. - Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum and at the Charles F. Dodge City Center box office. - More information is available at the festival website.

The details: - The festival centers on Caribbean food, tropical fruit, live music and cultural programming. - Guests can visit the Mango Walk, which features rare and exotic mango varieties from across the Caribbean and beyond. - The lineup includes artisan and food vendors. - Live culinary demonstrations will feature Chef Irie and Chef Thia from Taste the Islands on PBS, Chef Winston Williams representing the U.S. Virgin Islands and Chef Guillermo representing Cuba. - Music and performance acts include KBM Live, Bigg G, steelpan performances, SocaFit dance showcases and KOTR Kompa Dance Company. - The schedule also includes soccer-themed stage moments and family-friendly activities. - Daddy’s Kingdom is a premium lounge experience for fathers and father figures with throne-style photo opportunities, treats, games, giveaways and pampering experiences. - The Mango Sommelier Experience offers a guided tasting flight focused on rare mango varieties, flavor profiles, textures and origins. - Families can also take part in mango-growing workshops and mango grafting demonstrations. - Community partner booths will be on site. - Fresh Jamaican and other mangoes will be available for purchase individually or by the box. - Supporters of the 2026 festival include the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Broward County Cultural Division, Grace Foods and CrichtonMullings.

Between the lines: - Island SPACE is using a major sports weekend to widen the audience for Caribbean culture. - The festival’s premium experiences suggest a push to appeal to both families and visitors looking for a more curated event. - The mix of food education, live entertainment and soccer tie-ins positions the festival as more than a mango market.

What’s next: - Island SPACE will open the festival gates on June 21 and funnel attendees into an afternoon program designed to lead into the World Cup match. - The museum will continue operating at Broward Mall in Plantation, open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Museum admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children under 12. - Group tours are available by reservation. - Additional museum information is available at islandspacefl.org or by calling 954-999-0989.

The bottom line: - Island SPACE is turning a World Cup weekend into a Caribbean cultural showcase with mangoes, music and family programming built for South Florida’s biggest tourism moment of the year.