This free family-oriented event includes mushroom identification, forays, cultivation, culinary, medicinal use and much more! The Wild Mushroom Fair is an indoor event in the Nature Center of Frances Slocum State Park (FSSP), with an additional outdoor activity of 2 mushroom forays in the woods of the park. (Weather permitting for the forays)

Wild Mushroom Fair Information:

Wild Mushroom Identification- If you are bringing in wild mushrooms for identification, try to keep the mushrooms in the best possible condition:

    1. When gathering mushrooms, extract the entire mushroom including below ground level.

    2. Do not wash the mushroom (you may gentle brush the dirt off).

    3. Store the mushroom in a paper bag or open air basket (plastic sweats and disfigure the sample).

    4. If the mushroom is picked earlier, it can be placed in the refrigerator to preserve (not freezer).

    5. At the fair, stop by the info desk for a ticket to be in line for the ID booth.

Wild Mushroom Forays in the Park-  The forays are held in the woods at FSSP. If you plan on participation in a foray, it is recommended to have the proper footwear and clothing (such as socks and long pants to prevent insect and tick bites). Foray start times are at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

Booths and Displays- There will be booths and displays that cover many different aspects involving wild mushrooms. WVMC members will be available to answer your questions.

Wild Mushroom Identification Skills Exam- If you want to test your skills in identifying common wild mushrooms found locally, stop by the info desk and ask for an exam.

Kids Corner- For visitors with young children, we have a section where your children can color while being watched by a WVMC member. This can give you a better opportunity to look at everything at the fair without distraction.

Parking- Parking is available at the lake side parking lot, and the other parking area just before the lakeside lot. There is another parking lot on the hill adjacent to the nature center, where you can follow the footpath down the hill to the front of the building.

Wild Mushroom Identification
(Bring in your mushrooms for ID)

Cultivation
Culinary
Lichens
Medicinal
Mushroom Skills Test
Mushroom Forays in the Park
(at 12:00pm and 2:00pm)

And so much more....