Page 38 - Chester County Chamber - 2023 Guide & Membership Directory

TOURISM
CHESTER COUNTY GETS READY
FOR THE WORLD STAGE
In 2025 and 2026, Chester County is set to be at the center of several major sporting and historical events that
will introduce the area to both national and international visitors on a potentially unprecedented scale.
One of those events is the FIFA World
Cup 26TM, which will be held in 16 North American cities, including Philadelphia,
in June and July of that year. “Our region will be on the world stage,” said Nina Kelly, Director of Marketing and Communications for Chester County Tourism. “We don’t know the particulars yet — what dates, what teams. But will it be good for business? Absolutely.”
The World Cup will coincide with the
MLB All-Star Game, which will be hosted by the Phillies in 2026. What’s more, July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary
of American independence. As one of
the cradles of that independence, the Philadelphia area is likely to be the site of several major events connected with
the anniversary.
Also of note: Longwood Reimagined, a wide-ranging transformation of world- famous Longwood Gardens, is set to open in late 2024 and draw significant crowds. The new garden design’s components include a brand-new conservatory built
to look as though it’s floating in a pool of water, and an outdoor bonsai courtyard that will frame a refreshed version of Longwood’s beloved waterlily court.
As the world turns its eyes on Chester County, Kelly said some of the traditional draws of the area are likely to resonate with new visitors:
» America’s Garden Capital. The greater Philadelphia area is home to more than
30 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes. In addition to Longwood, they include national treasures like Chanticleer and the du Pont estates.
Photos courtesy of Chester County Tourism
» Chester County Cheers. “We have a very strong beverage market in Chester County,” Kelly said. Homegrown success story Victory Brewing is just one example of this thriving scene. (Find a map listing local breweries, wineries, and distilleries at www.brandywinevalley.com/chester- county-cheers.)
» The Wyeths. The Wyeth family of notable artists is celebrated at the Brandywine Museum of Art, which hosts not just collectionsoftheirworksbutalsotoursof the studios where Andrew and N.C. Wyeth worked. From March 16, 2024 through June 9, 2024, the museum is planning a major exhibition called Unsettled, which will highlight the darker works of Jamie Wyeth — son to Andrew and grandson to N.C. Wyeth.
» The Mushroom Capital. Kennett Square is commonly known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, and “that’s of interest to people both domestically and
internationally,” Kelly said. It’s also a title the town celebrates with events like the annual Mushroom Festival in September and the New Year’s Eve Mushroom Drop.
» Picturesque Towns, Exciting Events. In addition to Kennett Square, Kelly said towns like Exton and West Chester are a draw for visitors, as is Phoenixville with its famous Blobfest — an homage to classic B movie The Blob, which used a local theater in its famous climactic scene. Blobfest is celebratedannuallyinJuly. Equestrian events such as the Devon Horse Show
& Country Fair, held in late May through early June since 1896, are also a perennial attraction.
While it may be some time before details for the World Cup, the America 250 celebration and the MLB All-Star Game are announced, one thing is clear, said Kelly: “A lot of big things are going to happen in Chester County.”
36 Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Longwood Gardens