Editing Odunde Festival

{{Infobox Event
| name = Odunde Festival
| image =
| image_caption = Odunde Festival celebration
| established = 1975
| founder = Lois Fernandez
| location = 23rd and South Streets
| neighborhood = South Philadelphia / Graduate Hospital
| date = Second Sunday in June
| attendance = 500,000+
| website = https://www.odundefestival.org
}}

The '''Odunde Festival''' is the '''largest African American street festival''' in the United States, drawing over '''500,000 people''' annually to '''South Street''' for a celebration of '''African culture''' and '''spirituality'''. Founded in '''1975''' by '''Lois Fernandez''', Odunde (meaning "Happy New Year" in '''Yoruba''') begins with a traditional '''procession to the Schuylkill River''' for an offering to '''Oshun''', the Yoruba goddess of the river. The festival features '''African and African-American vendors''', '''live music''', '''traditional dance''', '''authentic food''', and '''cultural programming''' across '''twelve blocks''' of South Street. Odunde is a celebration of the '''African diaspora''' and has become a beloved Philadelphia tradition.<ref name="odunde">{{cite web |url=https://www.odundefestival.org |title=Odunde Festival |publisher=Odunde, Inc. |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding (1975) ===

'''Origins:'''
* Lois Fernandez vision
* African cultural celebration
* Community gathering
* Spiritual tradition

=== Growth ===

'''Expansion:'''
* Grew from small event
* National recognition
* Vendor expansion
* Attendance growth

=== Recognition ===

'''Achievements:'''
* Largest African American street festival
* Cultural landmark
* City support
* National significance

=== Lois Fernandez Legacy ===

'''Founder:'''
* Visionary leader
* Community organizer
* Cultural preservation
* Continuing tradition

== Festival Elements ==

=== Procession to the River ===

'''Opening ceremony:'''
* March to Schuylkill River
* Oshun tribute
* Spiritual offering
* Community participation

=== Oshun Ceremony ===

'''Spiritual tradition:'''
* Yoruba goddess of rivers
* Water offering
* Traditional prayers
* African spirituality

=== Street Fair ===

'''Main event:'''
* 12 blocks of South Street
* 23rd Street focus
* All-day celebration
* Community gathering

== Programming ==

=== Music ===

'''Live performances:'''
* African music
* African American artists
* R&B and soul
* Traditional drumming

=== Dance ===

'''Movement:'''
* African dance troupes
* Traditional styles
* Cultural performance
* Community participation

=== Vendors ===

'''Marketplace:'''
* African crafts
* Clothing and textiles
* Art and jewelry
* Cultural items
* 100+ vendors

=== Food ===

'''Cuisine:'''
* African foods
* Caribbean cuisine
* Soul food
* Traditional dishes

== Cultural Significance ==

=== African Diaspora ===

'''Celebration:'''
* African heritage
* Cultural continuity
* Diaspora connections
* Identity affirmation

=== Community Pride ===

'''Unity:'''
* Black community celebration
* Multi-generational
* Cultural education
* Joyful gathering

=== Philadelphia Tradition ===

'''Local significance:'''
* Nearly 50-year history
* City institution
* Annual tradition
* Community ownership

== Location ==

=== South Street ===

'''Festival area:'''
* 23rd Street center
* Twelve-block stretch
* Historic neighborhood
* Accessible location

=== Schuylkill River ===

'''Procession destination:'''
* River offering
* Spiritual site
* Natural connection
* Traditional location

== Attendance ==

=== Scale ===

'''Numbers:'''
* 500,000+ estimated
* Largest in U.S.
* Regional draw
* National visitors

=== Demographics ===

'''Participants:'''
* African American community
* African visitors
* Caribbean community
* All backgrounds welcome

== Date ==

=== Second Sunday in June ===

'''Timing:'''
* Annual tradition
* Early summer
* All-day event
* Weather considerations

== Impact ==

=== Economic ===

'''Benefits:'''
* Vendor sales
* Local businesses
* Tourism
* Community economy

=== Cultural ===

'''Preservation:'''
* African traditions maintained
* Cultural education
* Youth engagement
* Heritage celebration

== See Also ==
* [[Philadelphia Festivals]]
* [[South Street]]
* [[African American Culture in Philadelphia]]

== References ==
<references />

{{#seo:
|title=Odunde Festival - America's Largest African American Street Festival
|description=The Odunde Festival, America's largest African American street festival drawing 500,000+ annually. Yoruba traditions, African culture, and community celebration since 1975.
|keywords=Odunde Festival, African American festival, Yoruba, Oshun, South Street, Philadelphia festival, African culture, Lois Fernandez
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Festivals]]
[[Category:Events]]
[[Category:African American History]]