Mushroom Festival (Kennett Square, PA)

Another late post here, but save this one for next year’s event LOL.

As a mushroom lover, enthusiast and eater I am surprised I have never been to the Mushroom Festival. The foodie and mushroom love in me is excited to go back!

Mushrooms are the focal point for this festival, but they have a variety of vendor booths, merchandise, live music, activities for the kids and more! The entrance fee is only $5, but don’t be fooled. You can spend plenty and make a full day of it. As previously in the last post, the over planner in me tried to get there right at the start of the festival. It was perfect to scope out the possibilities of items to buy plus hit some of the food booths before lines got too long. Some vendors offered mushrooms tastings and there were others giving demos of how to grow your own at home – that was intriguing! Of course some mushroom treats needed to be purchased and tasted. First up was the deep fried mushrooms. I forget what vendor sold this one, but these were crispy and delicious. They were very hot/fresh right out of the fryer. You could have burned your tongue if you were not careful. They get a 8/10. My only complaint is when you bit into it and it separate the mushroom and batter. Easily fixed by eating them whole LOL. Next was mushroom soup – is it probably my favorite way to eat mushroom (besides on pizza LOL). We selected La Tavola’s vendor tent as it looked the best combination and balance of creaminess and mushrooms. Sure enough that’s exactly what it was! Every bite was so delicious and filled with mushroom chunks. My mouth is watering as type and La Tavola is now on the list to go back and eat at the restaurant as their Italian menu sound so delicious! It also worked out well, because by the time we walked through everything to scope out what we wanted to buy, it was so crowded that we didn’t want to back track. So some money savings there LOL. But since we were done at the festival, that meant some brews … which turned into trying 3 different breweries as they are all in Kennett.

First up is Kennett Brewing Company. KBC is located right in the heart of town. So it became the perfect escape from the crowd of the festival. KBC is not very large, but table, bar/counter seating. They even have a small stage for live performances.  With a tummy filled of yummy mushroom treats, only a cold beer was needed. Of course I don’t remember the kind a ordered and now can’t seem to find it online, but it was the citrus one they compared to Blue Moon. It was refreshing on a hot summer afternoon! It started to get crowded as more of the festival goes caught on to KBC being open, so it was then time to move to the next stop.

Second stop was Braeloch Brewing, located farther out from the center of town, closer to Kennett High School (aka where the car was park). This beer hall style brewing was the perfect spot away from the festival crowd. They have a full outdoor set up with tent, yard games etc. But then inside they have a large open hall with a large bar and plenty of seating. First up was ordering a beer. I decided on their blended sour, a combination of raspberry and passion fruit. Another refreshing beverage on a summer day that was fruity and tart. I liked it better than KBC. At Braeloch, they had food specials – one in particular I couldn’t pass up. Truffle loaded tots …they had fried cheese curds. How do you say no to that?! I couldn’t and I was extremely happy I didn’t! They were perfect crispy and the cheese curds were thick cut, cheesy and melted right into your mouth. It was the perfect little afternoon bite! While enjoying my bites and sips, I started to read more of the menu. They had seasonal summer boozy slushes that had my name written all over it. So course, that is what I ordered next! I ordered the German Radler Slushee, which was brick house lager with house made lemonade. It was the most refreshing frozen boozy lemonade. It was dangerously good and again was the perfect treat on the hot summer day. I liked this drink the best and gets a 9/10. After this perfect afternoon stop, it was time to walk bar to the car and make the way one, but one more stop on the drive out.

Last stop on the way out of Kennett was Victory Brewing. I decided to stick with the sour beer choice at this location. I went with the Berry Monkey. Another great fruity yet tart selection – my favorite beer of the day! They had a mushroom fry special for Mushroom festival weekend – but were all sold out. My heart crushed a bit, but on to the next special item to order, the fried oyster. They were very crispy, and battered perfectly. The batter didn’t over power the oyster. Not the best I have had but a delicious bite to end the day!

Overall it was the most perfect day, adventure filled with food, mushrooms, drinks and fun! I would definitely do it all again. The mushroom festival may have to be must go to event each year – but I may need to top my over planning skills next time! LOL

Live to Eat (& Drink),
Tiv