The Mushroom Festival was chosen as one of the 20 contenders in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice poll that is taking place until Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Chester County residents can help the Mushroom Festival finish in the top spot by going online and casting a vote daily until the contest ends. Voting is online at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-specialty-food-festival, or through the link on the Mushroom Festival's website (www.mushroomfestival.orgwww.mushroomfestival.org).

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Mushroom Festival was in first place in the poll, with a slight lead over the a pumpkin festival in New Hampshire.

The Kennett Square-based Mushroom Festival is held each year the weekend after Labor Day, which is Sept. 6 and 7 this year. The event attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors over the two days.

The mission of the Mushroom Festival is to promote the mushroom industry, which is Chester County's top industry. Proceeds from the event are used to financially support dozens of local and regional charities through a grant process. The festival awarded $75,000 to local non-profits in 2014.