Your help and support with petitioning here is needed to ensure that PA voters see Dr. West and Dr. Abdullah on their ballot in November!
The ODUNDE festival is the “staple event” for the organization and the City of Philadelphia. The festival attracts up to 500,000 attendees, covers 15-city blocks, has over 100 arts & craft and food vendors and has two stages of LIVE entertainment. The festival is known throughout the world as one of the original models for African-American festivals, hosting many internationally known African and Caribbean performers, dignitaries, folk artists and cultural leaders.
WHEN IS THE ODUNDE FESTIVAL?
- Each year, on the second Sunday in June.
WHERE DOES THE ODUNDE FESTIVAL TAKE PLACE?
- ODUNDE takes place covering 15 city blocks and has 2 stages of live entertainment.
Come for as long as you like, any amount of your time is needed and valuable. Don't have petitioning supplies? No worries! Your regional coordinator will ensure you have supplies, make sure you feel comfortable and confident petitioning, and answer any questions you may have. In addition to gathering signatures, we will hand out leaflets to raise campaign awareness.
ODUNDE was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez. The festival attracts UP TO 500,000 people annually and is the largest African American street festival held in the country. The ODUNDE festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from 23rd and South Street to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit and flowers is made to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. ODUNDE is also known for its authentic African marketplace featuring vendors from around the world selling merchandise from African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil.
The festival has a $30 million economic impact on State of Pennsylvania and a $28 million economic impact on the City of Philadelphia.