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

When you’re new to West Chester it can be hard to figure out where the fun is, especially if you don’t know where and when to look. Have no fear, though! The Dynamic Team has compiled a list of the top five fun activities in the downtown area!

1. First Fridays!

On the first Friday of every month, the shops downtown stay open late, and put tons of unique merchandise on sale, while local restaurants will have great appetizer and drink specials for the First Friday enthusiasts.  Also on First Friday, West Chester will be hosting it’s own semi-annual  Art Gallery Walk in the months of June and October. First Friday is a great way to get acquainted with the area, and to get in touch with the local art scene. Retailers all over High and Gay Streets host the area’s most talented artists and artisans.

2. Open Mic Night at Fennario!

Every Wednesday night, West Chester’s hippest coffee shop, Fennario, hosts an open mic night. Whether you’re a musician or a music enthusiast, make sure you walk, bike, or skateboard up to 111 N. Church Street to catch musicians and poets of all genres, skill levels, and specialties performing live. Make sure you grab a coffee, latte or tea — it is tough to beat Fennario’s baristas!

3. The Note!

Sometimes, it can be rough being into the music and social scene when you’re underage. Everyone’s been there — a great band is playing a show nearby but you can’t get in because you’re under 21. Luckily for West Chester students, The Note hosts all ages and 18 and over shows on a regular basis. For example, on June 26, Bedoin Soundclash, DeLeon, and Among Criminals are playing an 18+ show; July 18, Jealousy Curve is playing a series of back to back shows with Fooling April and Red Wire Black Wire and the earliest show is all ages; and August 11, Kevin Devine is playing an 18+ show featuring Fred Marashino of Taking Back Sunday. Check the show schedule at www.thenotewc.com regularly to see who is in town!

4. The Restaurant Festival!

West Chester’s Annual Restaurant Festival will be held on Sunday, September 20th.  Local eateries line Gay Street with booths and offer delicious samples of their best selling appetizers, entrées, and snacks at heavily discounted prices! Attending the festival is an awesome chance to enjoy the late summer weather, hang out with friends, and sample some of the best food West Chester has to offer! Bring your friends and some good walking shoes!

5. The Iron Hill Twilight Criterium

On July 11th at 5:15pm, one of the Iron Hill Bike Races will take place, rain or shine. Grab a few friends and walk up to the intersection of Gay and High Streets to cheer for these incredible athletes! Arrive for an early dinner if you can, and get seated outside at Iron Hill or Kildare’s! The Iron Hill bike races are some of the most fun and exciting events held downtown and definitely worth the trip!

Whatever your interests might be, there is plenty to do in the West Chester area. If you know of a great event in the downtown area, feel free to drop us a line, and we’ll include it in our next Top Five!

- Hilary Nunes @ Dynamic