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Spanning 12 city blocks, the annual Odunde Festival is a lively celebration of African and African-American culture. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

The annual Odunde African Street Festival, the longest-running and largest African-American street festival on the East coast, returns to South Street next Sunday, June 12.

Complete with live music, dance performances, food, activities and an authentic African marketplace, the Odunde Festival covers more than 12 city blocks, bringing a celebration of Africa to South Street every June.

The celebration begins with a blessing at the Schuylkill River, then transforms into a joyous street fair centered at 23rd and South Streets, and continues down Grays Ferry Avenue.

From 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Odunde attendees will find a wide variety of sights, sounds, and smells evocative of Africa, including rhythmic, thumping drumbeats, a multicolor array of textiles, aromatic spices and African crafts.

The festival hosts up to 300 vendors, many of whom hail from various African countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Guinea, and live performers will provide the soundscape all day on two stages.

Insider tip: The streets around 23rd and South and Grays Ferry Avenue will be closed to traffic; attendees are encouraged to take public transportation.

Odunde Festival
Where: 23rd and South Streets
When: Sunday, June 12, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: FREE
More Info: odundefestival.org