Turks Head Music Festival (July 19th)

The annual Turks Head Music Festival will be held Sunday, July 19. The festival will be held at Everhart Park located at 100 S. Brandywine St. and will run from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The festival lineup includes 11 bands performing on two stages.  In addition, there will be over 75 crafters and many food vendors as well. There will also be inflatable rides for children and, weather permitting, hot air balloon rides.

Goshen County Fair (July 27th – August 1st)

The Goshen County Fair will be taking place July 27th through August 1st, and is located just off Route 3, east of West Chester. The fair will include games of chance, amusement rides, live music, and delicious food. Other attractions include dairy cow, sheep, goat, rabbit and poultry exhibits, and a number of contests. Parking and admission are free, so there is no reason not to stop by and enjoy the festivities!

Swinging Thursdays (August 6th)

On August 6th, West Chester will be shutting down Gay St. between High St. and Darlington St. to celebrate Swinging Thursday.  Tons of vendors, attractions, and live entertainment will be set up along the street.  In addition, food vendors and local Restaurants will be providing the best food West Chester has to offer. Swinging Thursdays are always a great time, so make sure to check it out.

First Friday (August 7th)

On Friday, August 7th, stores downtown will be running all sorts of specials, and most will be open late. Stop by local shops downtown to get the best deals on all that West Chester shopping has to offer!

Dan Pearo @ Dynamic

For First Friday, the Dynamic Ladies decided to head over to the Olive Branch at 142 W Gay Street (where the Bagel Crust used to be) to grab a relaxing bite to eat after a hectic opening to the Summer II Session.  We are all big fans of Mediterranean food, and had heard through the grapevine that the tapas at Olive Branch were top notch.

I have to say, we were not disappointed!  There was an option for outdoor seating, but we chose to sit inside.  The atmosphere inside was intimate, and struck all of us as a great “date spot”.  The menu slightly favors seafood, but there really is something for everyone!  Offerings include Lobster Macaroni and Cheese, Shrimp and Mushroom Risotto, and Pork Tenderloin.  Everything we tried, from the Olive Plate to the Baked Brie, and from the Sea Scallops with Spinach to the Pesto Ravioli was fantastic!

Olive Branch does not have an alcohol license (but patrons of age may bring their own — we brought homemade Sangria!), which means it does not have a “bar” feel at all.  It is definitely a small, family-run establishment, so the service was excellent and personal.

All in all, it is a unique little spot in West Chester! Tapas are especially great in the summer time, since they are not overly filling, so grab a friend on a nice evening, and go enjoy this brand new restaurant downtown!

–Hilary Nunes @ Dynamic