The Third annual Fantastic Forage Mushroom Festival will take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Laconia. The festival will be held on the grounds of Tavern 27 Tapas and Piano Bar located at 2075 Parade Road (Route 106). The festival is a free, family-friendly event geared toward the celebration of all things mushroom, from finding to eating and drinking, and increasing public awareness of the many uses and benefits of mushrooms. While there is no charge to attend the festival, attendees are encouraged to purchase the collectable commemorative festival pins to support the festival and the organizer’s efforts of edible mushroom and foraging education. Money raised will go to purchasing edible mushroom grow kits for at least four classrooms at Laconia area grade schools. Educators interested in mushroom education for their classrooms should contact the organizers at the festival or email mushrooms@fantasticforage.com. The festival will kick off with an early bird mushroom foray. Those interested in participating in a guided forage should meet at 8:30 a.m. at Ahern State Park on Route 106, just down the street from the festival grounds. After the foray, head to the festival grounds for help with identification and education. New Hampshire Mushroom Company will lead the morning foray at Ahern State Park. Cost for the guided educational walk will be $5 (cash only). Fantastic Forage events will include multiple guided mushroom walks (forays), mushroom growing workshops, mushroom cooking demos, kids activities, a mushroom dyeing workshop, mushroom displays, and more. Mycologists will be on hand to assist in identification of items collected on the forays. Hobbs Brewing Company will also on hand sharing tastings of their New Hampshire brewed beer (must be 21 or older to participate in beer tasting). Tonight, Tavern 27 will host a Mushroom and Wine Pairing dinner. Enjoy a six-course mushroom inspired tapas dinner paired with exquisite wines. Dinner tickets also include two commemorative Fantastic Forage wine glasses. Please note, dinner attendees must be 21 to partake in the wine portion of the event. Dietary preferences can be accommodated with advanced notice. As a reminder, never ingest any mushrooms or other found items on a forage that have not been positively identified as a safe edible. Consuming unknown mushrooms can be dangerous. Please carpool. For more information, a full schedule of events, or to purchase dinner tickets visit fantasticforage.com.
3rd annual Fantastic Forage Mushroom Festival
