The last time the United States hosted a World's Fair was the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition, held in New Orleans. The Fair didn't do well financially, but it was great fun; I went multiple times, including when I performed there with the New Orleans All-City Orchestra.
At the end of the 1980s, Errol Laborde opined that the opening of the World's Fair was the zenith of the decade for New Orleans; I agree with that (and also with his contention that Michoud's 1987 failure to win the space station construction contract was the nadir).
