Kennett Square is frequently referred to as “The Mushroom Capital of the World,” and for a good reason. Southern Chester County is one of the top mushroom-producing areas in the country.
For more than a quarter-century, Kennett Square has hosted an annual Mushroom Festival. This year’s event will take place Saturday and Sunday at a variety of locations in the Kennett Square area.
The 27th Annual Mushroom Festival officially is held Saturday and Sunday, but will actually kick off with the Community Parade tonight at 6 p.m. The parade, which has “Mushrooms on Parade” as its theme, will move up Broad Street from Birch Street, turn left on State Street and then end at Center Street. There will also be an “Old Fashioned Carnival” tonight from 6-11 p.m. on the Genesis Parking Lot at the corner of South Union and South streets. The carnival will continue throughout the weekend with hours from 3-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. RELATED ASSETS
This year’s festival features the staging of a new event — the National Fried Mushroom Eating Contest. This National Championship is the first All Pro Eating sanctioned Fried Mushroom Eating Championship ever. The contest, which is presented by the Mushroom Festival in cooperation with All Pro Eating Promotions, offers a $600 prize and a trophy for the winner with $300 for second place and $150 for third place. A number of activities will be offered both days, including farm tours, children’s entertainment and rides, a “Painted Mushroom Silent Auction,” street vendors and cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Tent. Other events scheduled for Saturday include an antique and classic car show, the “Mushroom Soup Cookoff” and a mushroom growing exhibit, while Sunday’s list of events features a “Remote Control Air Show,” a soup and wine event and a “Mushroom Judging Contest.” Live music will be presented both days with Rolling Thunder Blues Review, Azrael String Quartet, Born Sisters, Chris Bruni and Aly Cat scheduled for Saturday and Rolling Thunder Blues Review, Rod Kim, Christie Lenee and Early Jones slated for Sunday. What: 27th Annual Mushroom Festival When: September 8 and 9
Where: Various locations in Kennett Square and surrounding area
Tickets: Prices vary with event — most events are free Information: 888-440-9920 or www.mushroomfestival.org
