Yearly Mushroom Celebration Blossoms in Kennett Square, Honoring Tradition and Everything Fungi-Related
Mushroom Festival Attracts Thousands to the "Mushroom Capital of the World"
The 40th annual Mushroom Festival took place this weekend in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a town that proudly bears the title of the "mushroom capital of the world." The festival, which started small in 1985 to celebrate Pennsylvania's leading role in mushroom production, has grown over the years and this year attracted visitors from states such as Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
The festival, which expects nearly 100,000 attendees over the weekend, features a variety of activities and vendors. This year, there were 229 vendors, including several local businesses, and mushroom-growing demonstrations.
One of the key participants in the festival is Buono Foods, a mushroom production company that stems from a farm established in the early 1900s. Gale Ferranto, president of Buono Foods, is a Kennett Square resident with ties to the area's mushroom farming heritage. In fact, Ferranto's daughter, Maria Buono, serves as the president of the company and coordinates the Mushroom Festival.
Family-owned and operated farms in the area are responsible for about 64% of the mushrooms grown nationwide. The festival aims to give back to the Kennett Square community and provide an opportunity for locals to showcase their products and share their passion for mushrooms.
Visitors to the festival can enjoy a wide range of mushroom-themed foods, from grilled portobellos to mushroom-stuffed pretzels. There are also live music performances, arts and crafts booths, and a parade featuring giant mushroom floats.
The Mushroom Festival is an important event for Kennett Square and highlights the town's rich history in mushroom farming. The festival provides a fun and educational experience for visitors, while also supporting the local economy and promoting the area's mushroom industry.
