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This Is The 'Shroomiest Destination Outside of Burning Man
Welcome to the 37th Annual Mushroom Festival.
In these too-modern times, when a few minutes spent on Twitter can make you feel as though climate change can’t rid the planet of humanity soon enough, there’s a certain allure to the wholesome. If your overstimulated mind, body, and soul are craving a dose of good old-fashioned fun, and you’re a fungi fanatic, you might want to leave the trolls behind and pay a visit to the self-proclaimed “mushroom capital of the world” next weekend, September 10-11, for the 37th Annual Mushroom Festival.
As tourist destinations go, Kennett Square, PA tends to fly under the radar. An hour west of Philly, Kennett Square is home to just over 6,000 people, but the small town also happens to produce around 60 percent of America's mushrooms. Legend has it this 'shroom boom began in the 1880s when local Quakers started growing mushrooms, inspiring nearby farmers to follow suit. By 1955, when the American Mushroom Institute was founded in the area, mushroom farms numbered in the hundreds. There’s something special about the mushrooms grown in this part of the world, too. According to local 'shroom purveyor Kennett Mushrooms, the compost used to cultivate local mushrooms includes cocoa shells from the nearby Hershey’s factory, making these fungi some of the very few to feast on chocolate.
A visit to Kennett Square today includes access to many mushroom-themed attractions, including the aforementioned festival. The two-day event caters to true fungi fanatics, who can enjoy the festival's beloved breaded mushrooms, a fried-mushroom eating contest, cooking contests and demos, a growers’ tent featuring all the 'shroom education a curious mind could crave, live music, rides, and more. Check out the full schedule here.
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If you can’t make it to Kennett Square next weekend, it’s not as though you've blown your chance at 'shroom immersion. At any point in the year, your itinerary can include a visit to The Mushroom Cap, a quaint shop selling local mushrooms and associated goods alongside an exhibit, which features a 13-minute educational video that serves as a primer on the local mushroom industry. If that activity strikes your fancy, you might also want to explore The Woodlands at Phillips, a family home dating back to 1828 which similarly sells local mushroom goodies and includes a museum exhibit. For a super 'shroomy dinner, check out Portobellos of Kennett Square. The popular restaurant boasts a menu rich with dishes populated by mushrooms from local farms, but it's most famous for its savory roasted mushroom soup.
Of course, mushrooms aren’t the only thing on the itinerary in Kennett Square. In fact, they're not even the only thing for which the town is famous. The Kennett Square area also played a major role in the Underground Railroad, which you can learn all about by taking a Kennett Underground Railroad Center Tour.
And 'shrooms aren't the only blooms in town, either. Longwood Gardens, which comprises over a thousand acres of gorgeous gardens and woodlands featuring varied art installations, performances, and educational experiences, is a must-visit for those in need of a little nature. Another wholesome outdoorsy venue is Barnard’s Orchard, where you can pick apples, pears, pumpkins, and other produce depending on the time of year. Then, if you’re lucky enough to land a table—reservations typically need to be made a year in advance—the eight-course farm-to-table dinner at Talula’s Table is a must.
And when you’ve finally had your fill of virtuous activities and just need a drink, head to the Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery for a cup or ten of vino. After all, you may need something to take the edge off your imminent return to 'the real world,' and this town's attractions don’t include *that* type of 'shroom.