Town’s Giant Mushroom To Be Focal Point For New Year Celebration

Kennett Square, Pa., is known for its fungus-friendly soil. Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania Town To Ring In New Year With Giant Mushroom

The town of Kennett Square, located near Philadelphia, is known as the mushroom capital of the world. It seems fitting that the town would choose to ring in the new year with a giant mushroom. The 700-pound stainless steel mushroom will be lowered from a crane during the midnight countdown at the town’s “Midnight in the Square” event.

Kennett Square is responsible for producing nearly half of the mushrooms in the United States every year. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the seven foot wide and eight foot tall statue will be the grand finale for the event which will feature food, music, and entertainment. The giant mushroom cost $6,000 to construct and is being sponsored by To-Jo Mushrooms. Bob’s Crane Service has donated the crane that will be used for the giant mushroom drop.

Admittance to the “Midnight in the Square” event will require either a nonperishable food item or financial donation which will be given to the Kennett Food Cupboard. This isn’t the first time a mushroom has been the main attraction at an event in Kennett Square. Each year the annual Mushroom Festival brings nearly 100,000 visitors to the town on the weekend after Labor Day.

“Being the mushroom capital of the world, I don’t know, why not,” said Kathi Lafferty, coordinator of the annual Mushroom Festival.

“New York City may host the Apple Drop … and Georgia’s own Atlanta will host the pride of the Peach State’s Peach Drop,” Faircloth told the Macon Telegraph. “However, here in Perry, we were thinking of something more original.”

On The Web:

Town’s Giant Mushroom Will Spark New Year’s Eve Celebrations
http://www.inquisitr.com/1037940/towns-giant-mushroom-will-spark-new-years-eve-celebrations/

Town giant mushroom to star in local New Year’s Eve celebration
http://www.ibtimes.com/giant-mushroom-celebrate-new-year-pennsylvania-town-kennett-square-1480904