Hen and Chic Vintage at the 40th Annual Mushroom Festival
Well, another Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square is on the books, and honestly, I’m still soaking in all the fun—and maybe also recovering from inhaling a lifetime’s worth of sautéed mushrooms. If you were anywhere near Kennett Square this weekend, you probably saw our little Hen and Chic Vintage setup wedged between wafts of garlic and the crowds wandering around with mushroom hats (yes, really—this town has spirit).
I set up my booth late into Friday night ready for what Saturday’s festivities had in store for me, armed with vintage finds and my usual selection of homemade soaps and balms. If you caught a whiff of lavender or apple spice in the air, I’ll gladly take credit. The Mushroom Festival is like a reunion and parade rolled into one—people stop by that I haven’t seen since the last fest, and there’s just something about explaining to someone from Virginia why a mushroom-shaped salt shaker is the perfect souvenir for their kitchen.
As always, I spent half the day people-watching and learning what makes folks pause—truthfully, the soaps scented with earthy blends got a lot of curious sniffs. It’s a festival where you can talk with a mushroom farmer about compost and then swap stories about flea market scores two stalls later.
What I love most is the energy that’s unique to Kennett Square in September. It’s chaotic, yes, and sometimes you reach the end of Sunday with more mushroom art than cash, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful for every person who stopped to chat or share a memory about vintage collections or homemade soap mishaps. For me, the festival is about connection—where antiques meet fresh faces, and everyone leaves with something homemade.
Here’s to forty years of mushrooms, local pride, and the joy of selling treasures that have their own stories. If I missed you this time, you know where to find me—probably elbow-deep in another batch of soap or tracking down the next great piece for your quirky kitchen.
Cheers,
Alexandra