Kennett Summerfest is back June 9, bigger and better than ever.
The beginning of June in Kennett Square is a time to celebrate Summer, relax, and revel in the abundance that the heart of the Brandywine Valley has to offer. Kennett Summerfest Wine + Food Festival on June 9th provides the quintessential opportunity to indulge in a fusion of the finest local wines, culinary delights, floral displays, and live music, creating a “full sensory experience.”
Now in its third year, Kennett Summerfest returns with even more robust offerings for a heightened festival experience. Extended food offerings will showcase food and wine pairings and highlight the culinary expertise found in Kennett Square. One of these culinary experts is also one of the most recognized personalities in the Philadelphia area dining scene: Aimee Olexy, the owner of Talula’s Table, Talula’s Garden, and The Love. “Our mission at Talula’s Table is to build community through food. And I have certainly seen that happen in the 17 years that we have been open!” Olexy shares. “Summerfest brings together all the magnificent wineries in our region with the passionate food businesses and food lovers of Kennett Square.” Local chefs and winemakers will plan pitch-perfect pairings for attendees to enjoy together—ideally experienced through the VIP Experience ticket option, which includes complimentary small plates and an exclusive reception hour. Tickets are limited for this opportunity, perfect for couples, groups, foodies, and wine connoisseurs. Award-winning food partners along with Talula’s Table include Sweet Amelia’s, Country Butcher, and additional local food artisans.
“Summerfest is the most perfectly curated event where you get the added bonus of learning from and meeting the winemakers, restaurateurs, farmers, and other artisans!” – Aimee Olexy, Talula’s Table
Twelve Brandywine Valley winemakers will be sharing not only their best wines but also their extensive knowledge and expertise. Connect with local makers to explore new favorites and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of local winemaking. “Local wine fits squarely within the Brandywine Valley’s flourishing agrotourism scene,” says Corey Krejcik, Brandywine Valley Wine Trail President and Vice President & General Manager of Chadds Ford Winery. At Summerfest, visitors and locals can gather in one location to “taste how the local terroir impacts the grape varietals they are already familiar with, and to try new wines made from lesser-known grapes native to PA.” Participating wineries include all the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail members, such as Chadds Ford Winery, R Five Wines, Casa Carmen Wines, and Wayvine Winery & Vineyard.
“I hope attendees really lean into the full sensory experience at Summerfest! From the intoxicating aromas of freshly cooked food and the perfumed scent of fresh flowers to the uplifting beat of live entertainment and the refreshing taste of a cool, crisp wine, this event engages all the senses to celebrate the very best of the Brandywine Valley.” – Corey Krejscik, Brandywine Valley Wine Trail & Chaddsford Winery.
Beautiful and engaging floral displays have been a part of Summerfest since its inception, and this year’s ode to local flowers promises to be an elevated experience with the addition of Styer’s Peonies. Providing flower lovers with fresh-cut beauty for over 100 years, Styer’s Peonies is well-known for the quality of their stems and their Peony Festival every May. Summerfest provides another opportunity to experience their peonies the weekend after the Peony Festival closes. Bouquets will be available for purchase along with other homewares. Styers Peonies will also provide blooms for the Summerfest floral display.
In yet another brilliant pairing, Chaddsford Winery will bring their latest Dry Rosé, a collaborative blend with Styer’s Peonies, just released in May. “Produced in the saignée style,” Krejcik from Chaddsford Winery describes, “this vintage is made with the slight skin-contact juice of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, and Steuben grapes. It’s bursting with fragrant strawberry and has a crisp, grapefruit pith finish. It is a must-try!”
This year’s floral display will feature the iconic teal vintage truck from Summerfest sponsor COCOON Home Remodeling. Attendees eagerly anticipate the creative and Instagram-worthy display dreamed up in collaboration with Zena Florist’s owner, Maria Navarrete-Olvera. To enhance the floral experience, Brandywine Blooms, one of the many additional artisan vendors, will offer wearable floral options for purchase.
Topping off the Summerfest experience will be the musical stylings of Tuk + The Big Brass Ones. The band’s unique sound blends traditional New Orleans-style jazz with contemporary rock and pop influences, creating a unique, toe-tapping sound. “Kennett Square is a very artistically minded place for visual and performing arts,” shares Bryan Tuk, performer and founder of grooveKSQ. Tuk continues that Summerfest celebrates Kennett’s love of the arts in a “fusion of wine, food, flowers, and live music—a great experience that reaches you through many different senses all at once.” This year’s musical performance will be fresh and invigorated, including performers the Summerfest audience has never seen before. “I certainly have more than one surprise up my sleeve,” Tuk cheekily concludes. “You’ll have to attend the event to find out!”
Join us at Kennett Summerfest on June 9th, from 3-7 pm, with VIP entry at 2 pm, on the 100 block of S. Broad Street in Kennett Square, PA. Purchase tickets at kennettsummerfest.com
