This year marks the sixth annual festival of our local mushroom society (SCSHROOM). The festival will be held Oct. 17 to 19 right at the peak of mushroom picking season.
The main event on Saturday is a celebration of all things mushroom, from books about mushrooms to cooking and fabric dying demonstrations with mushrooms. Admission is $3 per person and the community hall in Madeira Park is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
One of the most popular events to take in is the mushroom ID table.
Members of SCSHROOM, along with local and often visiting mycologists, set up several tables covered with examples of locally-picked mushrooms. Some of those mushrooms are edible and choice, some unusual or unique, many have very potent medicinal properties and, of course, many are non-edible or poisonous.
Another very popular event taking place during the festival is the food. This year, chefs at Chasters, Ruby Lake Resort, The Painted Boat and Gumboot restaurants will offer multiple course dinners highlighting wild mushrooms, some with wine pairings selected for the event.
Each year a guest speaker is sponsored by the society. This year SCSHROOM has invited Taylor Lockwood, a renowned photographer. His work has appeared in the National Geographic magazine, New York Times, Washington Post and many other publications. He will be speaking on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Roberts Creek Hall at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. at the Botanical Gardens in Sechelt. His presentation will include a slide show of his work entitled Spirits of the Forest. Admission to the speaking events will be $10 at the door.
Last year’s photo contest was such a success, it was decided to run the competition every year. Winners will be announced at the festival on Saturday. Three prizes will be awarded with the first prize $100 cash (or mushroom dinner for two); second prize $50 cash; and third prize a mushroom identification book and mushrooming knife.
For more information about the festival, the photo contest or becoming a SCSHROOM member, see the website: www.scshroom.org
