What it’s like to grow up in Kennett Square, Pa

Kennett Square is a small, rural-suburban town in Pennsylvania where practically everyone knows each other. In high school, this was always something I hated about my hometown and growing up I never wanted to come back here. But since leaving for college four years ago, I’ve realized it is that particular quality about Kennett which makes you feel at home and so welcome. As I’ve gotten older, I have grown to appreciate everything this tiny town has given me.

Diversity

As residents of the Kennett area, we were really fortunate with the public school system that came with it. From kindergarten to high school, the education was great and many of the teachers have changed the lives of the students that have walked through those doors. Everyone was surrounded by so much diversity and it really made you aware of the many different cultures. The town’s population is made up mostly of 48.8% Hispanic, 42.8% White and 6.6% African American. Kennett High School’s population was 57% White, 37% Hispanic, 4% African American and 2% Asian. Having the opportunity to be surrounded with diversity every day has made a lot of us more open minded than others who didn’t grow up with that.

Longwood Gardens

One of the main attractions in Kennett is Longwood Gardens which is this enormous garden that people can walk through. It dates all the way back to the 1900s when Pierre S. du Pont wanted to create a garden to suit his wife’s hobby. It kept getting bigger and bigger and soon, people from all over the country would travel to Pennsylvania to see it. Here, they do performances, dining events, light and water shows and so much more. During Christmas time, a half-million lights illuminate the garden and every single tree branch is shining. It’s so overwhelming and wonderful and it’s hands-down my favorite thing in the world.

Photo by Danielle Douple Chamberlain

Victory

Along with Longwood Gardens, downtown Kennett consists of different shops, restaurants and bars that people can walk up and down to. From acupuncture, to skincare stores, to cafes, there are so many ways to spend your day in Kennett. For example, Victory Brewing Company has finally made it’s way to the lovely KSQ. They brew amazing, original beers and serves the most kick ass food. The Kennett Square Victory opened it’s doors about a year ago and it’s still packed every time I go there.

Photo by Gala Kimberly Ramm

Close enough (to lots of destinations)

Even though Kennett isn’t located in the ideal spot (in my opinion), it’s situated right in the middle of a lot of different places. The Christiana Mall is a 20 minute drive and King of Prussia takes about 30-40 minutes. It takes 1 1/2-2 hours to get to the Delaware and New Jersey beaches, Philly is only 30 minutes away and New York City is about 3 hours. So even though we didn’t grow up on the beach or in the city, we’ve been going to all these places since we were little kids. For someone like me who hates feeling trapped, it’s nice to know that so many different places are only a short car ride away.

Photo by Leanne Lane

Shrooms

Last but definitely not least, Kennett Square is the Mushroom Capital of the World. Yes, you read that right. We produce the most incredible mushrooms here in Kennett that they just had to give us a title. However if you know anything about mushrooms, they’re grown in cow shit so it basically smells awful all the time…especially in the summer. We’ve been the Mushroom Capital for quite some time now and every year since then, we’ve held the Mushroom Festival. It’s a two-day event located in town with the tents of many venders lined up on State Street. This event brings in a lot of out-of-town people (like Longwood Gardens) and we’re pretty famous for it.

Photo by Danielle Douple Chamberlain

Not only do we have the Mushroom Festival, but three years ago started the New Year’s Eve Mushroom Drop. And yes, it’s just as it sounds. Instead of the “ball dropping” in New York City, we’ve made our own countdown with an enormous, lit up mushroom. When I first heard about this, I laughed out loud because I thought it was so ridiculous and strange but it’s sort of cool to have our own little NYE party in town.

Photo by Danielle Douple Chamberlain

Now you’re probably jealous you didn’t grow up in little, stinky Kennett so basically your town can eat my town’s dust because we’re the best. Bye.

Photo by Jeanne Lane

@alyssadifran