The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
Fri. - January 11, 1 pm – 5 pm | Sat. & Sun. - January 12 & 13, 10 am – 5 pm
Come to Santa Cruz and explore “Mushrooms As Medicine”! Learn interesting and fun facts about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of mushrooms found in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area. Fungi will be beautifully displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa Cruz tradition features three days of fantastic fun, informative speakers and demonstrations, with fungal activities for the whole family
The FFSC actively promotes the study of mushrooms, and is dedicated to encouraging an avid interest in the fungal kingdom. We hunt mushrooms for scientific interest and for the table. We encourage a sense of wonder with regard to one of the least understood segments of our global environment. We are fungiphiles, and you just might be one, too...
ACTIVITIES
• FFSC mushroom experts will be available throughout the fair to identify the mushrooms you’ve found. Bring yours, ideally stored in a paper bag rather than plastic. Paper allows fungi to "breathe" and keeps them fresher!
• Nationally and locally renowned speakers will present talks on a wide variety of topics, including cooking demonstrations with wine pairings, in the Main Lecture Room (Room 3) and the Mushrooms 101 Room (Room 1). See Program Schedule for details.
• The Habitat Display Area will present hundreds of mushroom species commonly found in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area.
• Visit the Kid's Room for mushroom activities such as clay sculpture, water colors, face painting, mushroom art and making mushroom dyed fabric. Peruse the fungus exploration area and look at spores through a microscope.
• Visit the Vendor Rooms to find a phenomenal assortment of food, books, fresh and dried wild mushrooms, growing kits, artwork, mushroom-dyed silks, jewelry and more. Also food vendors are located throughout the venue.
• Attend the After Hours Mushroom Dinner, a catered, multi-course sit down dinner with live music. Each course will be paired with wine. Always a sell-out, separate Admission is required. See website for details.
Throughout the three day event, Fungus Fair attendees will be able to learn more about local mushrooms, view remarkable mushroom arts and crafts, taste unusual and exceptionally good fungal fare, and be a part of the FFSC’s overriding mission – “We Keep the Fun in Fungi!”
For more information and bios please visit our website or contact the Publicity Coordinator.
The purpose of the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is to expand the understanding and appreciation of mycology (study of mushrooms) and to assist the general public, related institutions, and societies to further this goal. The annual Fungus Fair is a major contributor to this important educational process and thousands benefit from this activity every January. Many continue the learning process throughout the year at monthly meetings and activities open to the public.
Date: January 11-13, 2019 1:00 PM-5:15 PM
Location: Louden Nelson Community Center | 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | (831) 222-0263
Admission:
General $10 | Seniors (60+) & Students $5 | Kids under 12 free with adult admission
Friday Admission: $5 for everyone
Event website: ffsc.us
