Odunde Festival
WHY IT'S HERE
Founded in 1975 by Lois Fernandez, the largest African American street festival on the East Coast, draws over 500,000 attendees for a celebration of African and African diaspora culture in South Philadelphia.
Odunde Festival was founded in 1975 by Lois Fernandez and Ruth Arthur as a celebration of the African New Year and the cultural heritage of African and African American communities in Philadelphia. Held annually on the second Sunday in June, Odunde spans 15 city blocks in South Philadelphia and includes a traditional procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River, where offerings are made to Oshun, the Yoruba river goddess. The festival features African and African diaspora music, dance, art, food, and craft vendors, drawing over 500,000 attendees and ranking among the largest African American street festivals on the East Coast.
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