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Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood (N2N) festival, which has brought stars like Macey Gray, Common, Morris Day and more to West Philadelphia, will return this Saturday (Sept. 8) with a free tribute concert to Aretha Franklin.

The annual outdoor community event will be held from noon until 8 p.m. at 50th and Baltimore and will feature recording artists Kathy Sledge, Monica, Kelly Price, Keke Wyatt, Jean Carne (one of Aretha’s “great girlfriends”) and Kindred the Family Soul. They will each perform hits of their own and cover some of Aretha’s to celebrate and honor the Queen of Soul.

Radio personality Patty Jackson and comedian Skeet will cohost the festival, and TV’s latest “Survivor” winner, Wendell Holland II, will make a guest appearance. 

Early arrivals will receive a free commemorative 2018 N2N festival t-shirt while supplies last. Other giveaways will be distributed throughout the day. Videos and images capturing highlights and milestones of Aretha’s remarkable career will be presented throughout the festival.

The festival was created by State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams in 1989 as a peaceful and enjoyable way for families and community members to connect and engage with one another outdoors. It began as a community cookout before expanding over the years into a major family festival attracting thousands from the region. Last year’s festival featured a free Prince tribute concert with performances by Morris Day and Sheila E., two of Prince’s closest collaborators.

In addition to a free concert and free food, the festival will feature health screenings, a variety of craft and food vendors, community resource tables, a kids zone with rides, games, prizes and face painting and a senior tent with activities, resources and bingo. Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF), a local nonprofit working to increase the involvement of black women and girls in all aspects of sport including athletics, coaching and administration, will be providing free sports demonstrations in the kids zone during the festival.

Attendees are asked to register for this free event at www.N2NFestival.com where they can get more information and stay up-to-date in the remaining days leading up to the festival.