Why You Need To Go to the Odunde Street Festival This Year
Odunde, the largest African American street festival in the nation, returns to Philly on Sunday, June 14, with hundreds of thousands expected to gather on 16 blocks. What started out as a simple idea to celebrate African and Caribbean culture has become a 51-year-old demonstration of the power of community. There will be arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as dance performances and R&B music headliner Bell Biv DeVoe. In this conversation from just before the 50th anniversary of the event, Odunde CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez-West tells host Trenae Nuri about the roots of this extraordinary event.
Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning.
Call or text us: 215-259-8170
Instagram: @citycastphilly
Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm
Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
When is Waymo Picking Me Up? Plus: Marketplace Furniture & Mayfair Rats
We’re talking about interesting furniture finds on Facebook Marketplace in Philly. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contributors Kamal Marel...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Philly
Another Philly school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no...
Why is PGW’s Boss Flying to Florida? Who is Eating Sushi from Wawa? What Happened at the Gubernatorial Debate?
We talk about WHYY’s investigation into Philadelphia Gas Works CEO’s years of free secret trips to Phillies spring training and how that...
What’s Happening for Halloween, Beef Bandits & Preserving Philly Arts
Philly does it big with fall festivals, haunted attractions, and costume contests this time of year. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by contri...
We Are Epicenter of Sports Betting, Tackling Copper Wire Theft & City Council Races
We’re taking a look at how the city is tackling copper wire theft, which darkens recreation centers and parks. Host Trenae Nuri is joined...
Evaluating Mayor Parker on Kensington, Black Bottom on the (Official) Map & HitchBOT Lives
We’re zooming into Kensington and talking about how the Parker administration has been addressing issues in this neighborhood. Plus, Blac...
A Future Philly: Car-Free Streets, a Roosevelt Boulevard Subway & Biking Through Stop Signs
What might be the future of our streets? We’re listening back to conversations we’ve recently had about a bill that would allow cyclists...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Philly
When Philly looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City d...
Why You’re Paying More for Water, Philly Chocolates Inspired by Ghosts & Parallel Parking Showdown
Your water bill is increasing, and here’s why. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz dive into how to read your bill and why...
Your Guide to October 2026 in Philly
Get ready for some seasonal fun because this month is packed with fall festivals, art exhibits — and, of course, haunted adventures. In t...