Kennett Square shines for Annual Mushroom Festival

09/12/2017 12:20PM ● By J. Chambless

At the Soup and Wine Event on Sunday, Hilton Garden Inn took home the honor this year as the Best Mushroom Soup in the Delaware Valley. It was a close battle between five excellent mushroom soups. On the wine side, Galer Estate Winery and Paradocx Vineyards tied for the Best Wine.

Photos by Carla Lucas

Mushrooms may not like cool, dry, sunny weather, but people certainly do, so they came from near and far to spend some time in Kennett Square at the 32nd Annual Mushroom Festival last weekend. The celebration drew record crowds. Parking was scarce, the streets were packed, but the visitors were enjoying themselves. Here are a few photos from the big day!

Mushroom Festival 2017 [11 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

The biggest crowds in the festival's history enjoyed themselves in Kennett Square.

Painted mushrooms showed the creativity of a wide range of artists.

This year's Community Parade featured nearly 90 entries, including Mary D. Lang Elementary School, with more than 300 teachers, parents and students marching together.

Fun Gus was on hand as usual.

The 10,000 Maniacs concert in the Special Events Tent drew a sell-out crowd.

A bird's-eye view of the Mushroom Festival from the top of the Kennett Fire Company's hook and ladder truck.

The Growers' Exhibit was busy all weekend, with people curious to learn about Kennett Square's mushrooms.

The magic, juggling and comedy of The Pittmans was a big hit for younger audiences.

There was a huge crowd for this year's eating contest, and contestants came from as far away as Illinois. In the end, Philadelphia's Dave Brunelli took the $1,000 prize for devouring 6.8 pounds of Buono's breaded fried mushrooms in eight minutes. Kennett Square's John McDowell took the crown as the Local Champion.

Guests strolled down Broad Street to see nearly 100 antique and classic cars. The Jungle Jim Lieberman '73 Vega Funny Car, a tribute car built by Glen Gualtieri, was this year's featured car.

Devon Delaney, of Westport, Conn., won the Amateur Mushroom Cooking Contest with her Bon Vivant Mushrooms and Chicken Crepes.

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