2024 Highlights
2024’s Kennett Square Mushroom Festival brings back all of its classic fungi faves with a couple of new special events. This year’s theme: “Spawning Future Growth.”
With so many events over the two days, it can be hard to figure out what to do first.
So why not “spore” over this list of the top free mushroom fest activities and attractions?
Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Carla Hall (New for 2024)
September 7, 2024 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Learn from one of the best as Food Network host, Top Chef all-star and acclaimed author Carla Hall hosts two cooking demos at this year’s festival.
Bonus: Chef Hall also serves as one of the Mushroom Chopped judges (more on that below).
Mushroom Chopped
September 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. & September 8, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Witness five amateur cooks square off in a live Chopped-style cooking competition.
Contestants have 30 minutes to prepare a shroomtastic culinary creation — with a twist. Each is given a bag of mystery ingredients that they must use, and then judges declare a winner based on taste, presentation, creativity and, of course, mushrooms use.
Winners from the September 7, 2024 contests go head-to-head in a finale on September 8, 2024.
Mushroom Growers Exhibit
September 7 & 8, 2024
See a variety of different mushrooms and get a crash course in Mycology 101 from local farmers, with educational topics like how to identify mushrooms, the nutritional value of mushrooms, techniques for mushroom harvesting and special tips on growing your own.
— Photo courtesy Kennett Square Mushroom Festival
Fried Mushroom Eating Contest
September 8, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Cheer on an eight-minute gastronomic wonder of shroomy supremacy where amateur contestants chow down on as many fried mushrooms as they can for a cash prize. The local record is four pounds!
Mushroom en Fuego (New for 2024)
September 8, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Dare to take the hot shroom challenge? This spicy mushroom-eating contest — not for the faint of tongue — pits 10 contestants against each other as they down increasingly spicier mushrooms. To the winner: a cash prize (and a frosty vanilla milkshake).
More Things to Do
September 7 & 8, 2024
Looking for the best way to cap off your days on the festival grounds? Check out vintage hot rods at the festival’s Antique & Classic Car Show, donate to a good cause during the Cute as a Button Photo Contest, stop by the Kids Area with bounce houses and bungee jumps, or high five Fun Gus — the festival’s iconic mushroom mascot.
— Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
