After a year off due to COVID, more than 15,000 mushroom lovers came out to the Mushroom Capital of the World — Kennett Square — to celebrate the namesake of the 36^th annual Mushroom Festival on Sept. 11 and 12. The festival-goers, along with sponsors of the event raised more thousands of dollars for grants to be awarded to nonprofit groups in the community.

“We were overwhelmed by the support of the community and the sponsors this year,” said Gina Puoci, 2021 Mushroom Festival president. “The success of this event is really a testament to the generosity and commitment to this community.”

While the Mushroom Festival is two days full of mushroom food, fun, and more, it also serves a second purpose. Each year proceeds from the festival are awarded to local charities and non-profit organizations. During the past 20 years, the Mushroom Festival has donated more than $1 million in funds to local organizations for things like books, playground equipment, food, transportation, and healthcare services.

“The Mushroom Festival would not be possible without the incredible support we enjoy from the community,” said Gale Ferranto, Buona Foods and Mushroom Festival coordinator. “The past few years have been challenging in a number of ways for all businesses, and to see the mushroom industry and community respond the way it did is overwhelming.”

The grant process will be announced in early 2022 on the festival’s website, www.mushroomfestival.org.

In the meantime, Ferranto, on behalf of the 2021 Mushroom Festival had a message for those who attended, supported, and sponsored the event: “A very heartfelt thank you.”