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DID THAT: The Odunde Festival, 6/12
Sunday's Odunde Festival was packed and hot, but that didn't deter the vibe one bit. The streets only became more filled and more local groups carved out their corners to play or perform. "On days like these, I thank God for deodorant," said the announcer. He couldn't have been more right.
DID THAT: The Odunde Festival, 6/12
Sunday's Odunde Festival was packed and hot, but that didn’t deter the vibe one bit. The streets only became more filled and more local groups carved out their corners to play or perform. “On days like these, I thank God for deodorant,” said the announcer. He couldn’t have been more right.
The only funk at Odunde was musical, and the smells that filled the streets were of vendors selling Jamaican, African and African-American cuisine. I heard that many people came just for the food. This made a lot of sense because all sorts of deliciousness were in abundance. There were countless vendors frying, jerking and candying. Many people were walking around with tubs, not cups, of freshly brewed iced tea and pink lemonade. I was lucky to enough to order curry crab. All I have to say is: Lawd have mercy.
There were bargains galore for people looking for handmade jewelry (I bought a pair of earrings that I saw for double the price on Etsy) or moisture-rich skin or hair products. There was plenty of stands selling waxes and oils, offering their own takes on Beyonce Heat, Halle by Halle Berry and scents named after the Obamas. Eau de Barack, anyone?
There was one vendor in particular who came über-prepared to make a killing off the heat. Aside from wood sculptures, he sold floral parasols, multicolored African straw-woven fans and bright summer church hats. What a businessman. Countless ladies, of all ages, gravitated toward his stand.
This is Odunde in a nutshell — celebrating black culture on a multigenerational, multiethnic level. Hair product manufacturers, capoeira professors, drum sellers and clothing vendors marketed to all ages, all people. I must say that the latter group of salesmen displayed some very adorable baby kente outfits. I also must say that this is part of the reason why Odunde continues to be a huge success year after year. Attendants aren’t afraid to bring friends from different backgrounds; anyone and everyone can get something out of it.
That’s why the hoards keep coming. At one point in the day, Odunde actually trended on Twitter in Philadelphia. Saturday, the organizers had attempted to break the world record for largest Zumba class (1,223 dancers,) but were unsuccessful. The Sunday fair is actually the stronghold of four days of events. Odunde’s notoriety is still growing as a four-day festival, but it was a noble attempt, and I believe their day in Guinness will come. Next year, Odunde.
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