By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Kennett Square’s annual New Year’s Eve Mushroom Drop celebration met with widespread approval this year.

Kathi Lafferty, who founded and continues to run the annual event, said it met with no serious problems, and she was completely happy with everything related to the Mushroom Drop this year.

“I think it was great. I heard people say the entertainment was great as well,” Lafferty said.

Last year’s New Year’s Eve event was beset with horrible weather that included heavy precipitation and even periods of thunderstorms. Even with those adverse conditions, the Mushroom Drop made it through and everyone had a good time.

This year yielded nothing from the weather to make it uncomfortable for spectators—except, perhaps, a slight chill in the air.

The celebration began on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 31, as the brightly lit mushroom, which had spent the preceding 12 months tucked away in Bob’s Crane headquarters on Birch Street, made its way uptown at 5 p.m., accompanied by a fleet of local firetrucks with their sirens blaring.

The visitors came from the borough and beyond—some attendees reported that they drove from areas throughout suburban Philadelphia – even far away if they were old Kennett Square loyalists.

Lafferty reported that those visitors were there not only to see the midnight event, but also to shop and survey Kennett Square’ s shops and restaurants.

Many who attended were observed stopping for dinner early and then gathering closer to midnight to watch all the Mushroom Drop festivities.

Lafferty said attendance at the event was substantial, although there wasn’t a good estimate of how many people attended the event.

Everyone who was there enjoyed themselves. The evening was filled with entertainment.

Former mayor and longtime community supporter Leon Spencer not only played in the band Syde 2, but also served as the host for the event.

The evening hours also included dancers, singers and events of chance.

At 10:15 p.m., the notable stress ball scatter took place—miniature plastic mushrooms were dropped from above and the first three to land in strategically placed goblets earned the prizes for the chances they took.  It was announced that the winners received $1700 each.

There were other features during the evening, including music, dancing, and children’s events.

Later on, returning with his guitar and singing voice was Fred McCarthy, who several years ago proposed to his now-wife. He announced that they now have four kids and are considering adding to their family by next Mushroom Drop.

Midway through the evening’s events another surprise came in the form of a short period of snow flurries. Far from being an inconvenience, the snowflakes seemed to add a festive feeling for those in attendance. 

Even Bob Burton, the town barber who owns the shop across the street from Lafferty’s Mushroom Cap shop, pitched in for this event, allowing the use of his electrical power so that the organizers could record the evening’s festivities.

Bob’s Crane CEO Rich Nichols guided the descended mushroom around the crowd so folks could touch it for good luck. He even lifted up an infant handed from the audience, which he hoisted up for a mushroom touch.

As they traditionally do at the Mushroom Drop, the crowed members accompanied the lowering of the mushroom by singing “Sweet Caroline.” The crowd dispersed without incident shortly afterward, everyone in good cheer to start the New Year.