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June 2, 2025

Odunde Turns 50: Philly’s Iconic Festival Rooted in Culture & Community

City Cast Philly

Odunde Turns 50: Philly’s Iconic Festival Rooted in Culture & Community

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On Saturday, June 8, hundreds of thousands are expected to gather for the milestone celebration of the Odunde Festival. It turns 50 this year – a testament to the years of work from its founder, the late Lois Fernandez. Now, Oshunbumi Fernandez-West spearheads the festival. She tells host Trenae Nuri about how a simple idea morphed into the largest African American street festival in the continent, and how she’s keeping Odunde a family business. 

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