Chester County is home to more than one kind of fanatic, and aside from Philly sports teams, residents are fanatics for fungi. It’s home to Kennett Square, the mushroom capital of the world, according to Vegworld Magazine.   

William Phillips helped revolutionize mushroom production in the late twenties, by controlling temperatures in mushroom houses with ice. This sparked an upswing in year-long mushroom growth, and now Phillips Mushroom Farms is a powerhouse for these fungi, producing 57 million pounds a year.  

Those who are curious about the history of the farm can visit the former abode of the Phillips family that is now a shop. There’s also a mushroom museum for visitors to learn more.  

Each year, residents celebrate the two-day-long Mushroom Festival. The street fair is full of events such as a fried mushroom eating contest and hundreds of vendors.  

Read more about the iconic mushroom capital in Vegworld Magazine.  

Youtuber Cailin O’Neill takes a tour of the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival.