The Fungus Fair is held each year in January in Santa Cruz at the London Nelson Community Center.

This three day event features hundreds of species of local fungi presented in a unique fashion, and draws thousands of visitors each year. The Fair showcases speakers, a special Kids' Room, and a taxonomy panel for identification of fungi you find. Many books and mushroom-related items are available for sale, as are wild mushroom delicacies.

This unique Santa Cruz tradition features fantastic fungus fun for the whole family. Bring the kids and stroll through a re-created woodland forest displaying hundreds of wild mushrooms; the Fungus Fair also features a special room full of hands-on activities for the kids, including fungus exploration tables, clay mushroom building, face painting, and more!

Schedule Of Events:

Friday, January 12, 2024

Big Room 3

2:30pm - 3:30pm - Christian Schwarz

Mushrooms of Sea Islands, Sky Islands, and Dry Islands
The theory of island biogeography serves as an ideal starting point in understanding broader patterns of dispersal, extinction, and adaptation.

5:30pm - 9:30pm - Details and Reservations

After Hours Mushroom Dinner - separate admission
Chef Chad Hyatt,  presents the 10th After Hours Mushroom Dinner
Wine pairings by Frank Virgil, Winemaker, De Vincenzi Cellars
Live music by George Heagerty and Never the Same

Room 1

2:15pm - 3:15pm - Chef Bob Wynn- Mushroom Cooking Tips and Techniques

3:30pm - 4:30pm - phil Carpenter- Introduction to mushroom identification

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Big Room 3

10:30am -12:00pm - Christopher Hobbs

The Magic Mushroom Class
Discover the healing benefits of psilocybin fungi as spiritual guides, as an ego dissolver to help access traumatic events, and the roots of psychic and physical, emotional, and spiritual tension in our lives.     

12:30pm -1:30pm - Christian Schwarz

Mushroom Bioregions of The United States
In this talk, we'll explore broad bioregions of the United States from the perspective of mushrooms (which sometimes align with bioregions of plants and animals... but not always!).

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Bill Schoenbart

Medicinal Mushrooms - Traditional Usage and Modern Science This talk will review the traditional functions and indications of turkey tail, reishi, and lion's mane, and we will discuss clinical studies and research into these incredible gifts from nature.

4:00pm - 5:00pm - Noah Siegel

Exploring the Unknown: Cryptic Mushroom Diversity In Your Backyard  California has an extremely diverse 'mycoflora', with over 4,000 species of macro fungi documented. Modern taxonomical tools have shown that this is just the tip of the iceberg. This talk will highlight some of the recent discoveries, and how you can help move mycology forward.

Room 1

10:30am - 11:30am - Melany Kahn- A Multi-Generational Hobby - An animated read aloud of Mason Goes Mushrooming by author Melany Kahn, followed by a beginner's mushroom ID session and Q and A for the entire family.

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Melany Kahn- Family friendly Kid's Interactive Mushroom Cooking Demo: How to cook a mushroom for the non-mushroom lover in your life, with humor and a lot of butter.

2:45pm - 3:45pm - Douglas Smith- The top ten edible and poisonous wild mushrooms.

4:00pm - 5:00pm - Vellany Pearce- Introduction to mushroom cultivation.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Big Room 3

10:30pm - 12:00pm - Bill Schoenbart

Medicinal Mushrooms - Traditional Usage and Modern Science This talk will review the traditional functions and indications of turkey tail, reishi, and lion's mane, and we will discuss clinical studies and research into these incredible gifts from nature.

12:30pm -1:30pm - Thea Chesney

Montane Biomes on the Brink: Exploration of various at-risk ecosystems in California's mountains from a fungal perspective, informed by the work of the California Fungal Diversity Survey and other conservation efforts. I will discuss current conditions, historical context, and future directions for research and conservation.

2:00pm - 3:30pm - Chad Hyatt

Mushrooms, Not Just for Breakfast Anymore Chad will be demonstrating some of his favorite wild mushroom cooking techniques and recipes, with several samples to taste.

4:00pm – 5:00pm - Noah Siegel

California: Land of the Year Round Mushroom Forage From wet coastal forests to high mountains, California has varied habitats. Because of this, you have the ability to hunt mushrooms year round without leaving the state! We will highlight the mushrooms found throughout the year.

Room 1

10:30am - 11:30am - Phil Carpenter- Introduction to Mushroom Identification

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Phil Carpenter- Introduction to Mushroom Identification

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Melany Kahn- A Multi-Generational Hobby - An animated read aloud of Mason Goes Mushrooming by author Melany Kahn, followed by a beginner's mushroom ID session and Q and A for the entire family.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Kyle Garrone- Mushroom Cultivation: Passive and active systems-Kyle will discuss different methods of using the natural environment and appropriate technologies to maximize yields and efficiencies. Applicable for growers of all sizes.

Admission

Friday admission - $10

Saturday / Sunday admission - $15

Students and Seniors (60+) - $10

Main Room Speakers (room 3) - $5 add on

Kids under 12 - free

Date: January 12-14, 2024

Time:
January 12, 2024 at 2:00pm
January 13, 2024 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
January 14, 2024 from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Location: Londen Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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