|
...............................................................................................
Chester Country Business Ledger
APRIL, 2005
Building a cultural hub
Historic Kennett Square, the nonprofit group dedicated to downtown development is determined to turn Kennett Square into the region's cultural hub.
Judging by the popularity of downtown events, the strategy is succeeding. Festivals, parades and regular art "strolls" pepper the annual calendar. "The festivals draw attention to Kennett Squarem and then people come back to visit," says Thomas C. Swett, president of Historic Kennett Square.
Perhaps the most well-known event showcases the area's most famous product: mushrooms. "The Mushroom Festival honors mushroom farming as part of Kennett's history and agriculture," says Mary S. Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square, which was founded in 1995. "The two-day event attracts people from far and wide.
The festival, held on State Street, has drawn about 80,000. This year's event scheduled for Sept. 10 and 11, marks the festival's 20th anniversary. Activities include a dance party featureing The Fabulous Greaseband and cooking demonstrations featuring celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito.
Mushroom farming gives downtown another cause for celebration. The labor-intensive farming expanded the area's Hispanic population. "We honor diversity and try to incorporate that into downtown," Hutchins says. Consider the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, from noon to 5 P.m. on May 1, which includes Mexican food, music, entertainment and children's activities.
The Kennett Square Brewfest and A Taste of Kennett on Oct. 8 will feature more than 25 microbrewers on South Broad Street. Connoisseurs will sip esoteric suds in a tented beer garden. A Taste of Kennett, meanwhile, is an outdoor restaurant festival. The event also includes family activities.
|
...............................................................................................
|
