Join us for our first annual Fungus Fest from Friday, September 3rd to Sunday, September 5th, a full weekend dedicated to the fascinating world of fungi! Whether you’re a seasoned mycologist or simply curious, this immersive experience is designed to introduce you to the joys of foraging, identification, and cooking with wild mushrooms, hosted by Melissa Ketelsen.
The Experience:
This is a two-night minimum stay package that includes all presentations, guided forays, workshops, and meals listed below. Participants will receive a special welcome kit, including a foraging basket and identification guide. Due to the hands-on nature of the event, spaces are limited to 24 participants to ensure a personalized experience.
Itinerary:
Friday, September 3rd:
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Check-in and Welcome Reception at The Pine Bar. Mingle with fellow attendees and meet your foraging guides over light snacks and drinks.
- 6:30 PM: Opening Dinner featuring a gourmet, three-course meal (non-foraged ingredients) and an introductory talk on the weekend’s goals.
Saturday, September 4th:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast in The Pine Lodge (pastries, granola, coffee, tea, fruit)
- 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Presentation on foraging basics and identification, outlining the day, handing out pamphlets of mushrooms that are safe to forage, foraging mannerisms, and discussing shuttles
- 9:45 AM: Board shuttles to foraging trails for first foray
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch and setting up an identification table where we will discuss iNaturalist and a book table so we can all learn how to set up a table and properly identify mushrooms
- Short break for everyone to get ready for another foray before dinner
- 3:30 PM: Load the next shuttle for another area for foraging
- 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Dinner and cooking demonstration using mushrooms for desserts to savory sauces
Sunday, September 5th:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast
- 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Final workshop/presentation on growing your own mushrooms and how the mushrooms we looked at all weekend operate in the environment around them. This includes your own take home cup that will grow your own oyster mushrooms
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Check-out