The mushroom capital of the entire world, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, lay just an hour away from Philadelphia. This weekend, the area hosts the 31st annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, paying homage to its number one savory, celebrated crop on September 10 and 11.
Kennett Square Mushroom Festival Fast Facts
- The festival takes place on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- On Friday, September 9, a community parade kicks off at 6 p.m.
- Admission to the festival is $3 per person for those 12 years old and up.
- Nearly 250 vendors will fill the streets during the two-day street fair.
Mushroom lovers across the nation converge in historic Kennett Square each year on the weekend after Labor Day to sample an array of creative treats and enjoy a slew of entertainment during the two-day festival.
From carnival rides to classic car displays to unique culinary creations (did someone say mushroom ice cream?!), this blockbuster festival brings fun for all ages.
Parade and Carnival
On Friday, September 9, a community parade begins the mushroom momentum set to keep rolling all weekend long. Head to State and Willow streets at 6 p.m. to follow along and afterward, stick around for live music and dancing, energizing the area until 9:30 p.m. A selection of area restaurants will also set up tables outside for parade-goers to dine alfresco.
The old-fashioned carnival will open on Friday, too, for the start of a three-day extravaganza. The carnival will be full of rides, games and classic carnival foods. The carnival, located at 600 S. Broad Street in Kennett Square, runs on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A one-day wristband to reap unlimited access to carnival rides can be purchased for $25 per person. Otherwise, tickets for rides are pay as you go.
2016 Mushroom Festival Street Fair
The centerpiece of the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival is the annual two-day street fair, drawing close to 250 vendors to Broad Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Stretching from Willow to Garfield streets on State Street, the Street Fair promises to fill the area with arts, crafts, food and more.
Look forward to tasting your way through a competitive lineup of mushroom-laden appetizers, soups and other dishes, which in the past have included everything from mushroom ice cream to mushroom mac and cheese.
An annual highlight, a fried mushroom-eating contest goes down on Saturday at 3 p.m., inviting festival-goers to watch dedicated competitors take on and take in deep-fried fungi as fast as possible.
For a competition that calls for your own tastebuds to get in on the action, head to the soup and wine event on Sunday, where local restaurant chefs battle it out for the title of Best Mushroom Soup in the Brandywine Valley and local wineries battle for the title of Best Red Wine and Best White Wine.
For a breath of non-mushroom air, peruse the Antique and Classic Car Show on Saturday, where you can find a ton of restored antique and classic cars. New this year, around 60 electric powered cars will also be on display, ranging from the century-old 1916 Rauch and Lang model to modern day Volts, Bolts and Leafs.
Click here to see the full lineup of events.
- Culinary demonstrations
- A classic carnival
- Mushroom-eating contests
- Mushroom tastings
- Shopping
- Antique and classic car show
- And more
Getting There and Exploring Kennett Square
Kennett Square is located in Chester County, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. Parking at the festival is $5 per car at two available lots, which includes free shuttle buses to transport you to the street fair.
State Street, the town’s main drag, showcases an array of locally owned businesses, charming shops, farm-fresh eateries and an abundance of small-town charm. A short drive down the road brings you to Longwood Gardens, currently hosting an incredible, after-dark-only installation called Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience. The immersive experience full of musically choreographed images and lights brings the garden’s acres of botanical beauty to life. Consider checking it out while in the area. Click here to learn more.
To discover more about Kennett Square and all there is to do in the area, check out the complete guide to the town right here.
The post The Massive Kennett Square Mushroom Festival Returns This Weekend appeared first on Uwishunu - Philadelphia Blog About Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Food, Nightlife and More.
