๐ Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival 2025 ๐ฒ
๐ Festival Overview
The Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival represents the pinnacle of mycological education and community building in the Pacific Northwest. This remarkable festival cultivates discovery, connection, and community while increasing access to experiential learning about various mycology topics, bringing people together in one of Earth's most renowned ecosystems for fungi.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Olympic Peninsula's temperate rainforests, this festival transforms the fairgrounds into a fungi wonderland where science meets adventure. Whether you're a seasoned mycologist, passionate forager, or simply curious about the mysterious world beneath your feet, this celebration promises to expand your understanding of the fungal kingdom.
- World-Class Educators: Internationally acclaimed experts from across the U.S. and Canada
- Hands-On Learning: Interactive workshops, guided forays, and citizen science projects
- Gourmet Experiences: Mushroom cuisine crafted by renowned local chefs
- Community Celebration: Live music, artisan vendors, and camping under the stars
- Conservation Focus: Participation in groundbreaking fungal research projects
๐ Location & Venue Details
๐๏ธ Primary Venue
Clallam County Fairgrounds
Port Angeles, Washington
Nestled between Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
๐๏ธ On-Site Amenities:
- Power and water hookups for camping
- Modern restroom facilities with showers
- RV dump station
- Multiple presentation halls and workshop spaces
- Vendor marketplace areas
- Beer garden for evening relaxation
๐ญ Special Event Venue
Field Arts and Events Hall
201 W Front St, Port Angeles
Waterfront location for the Friday Keynote Dinner
๐ Festival Dates & Timing
๐๏ธ Main Festival Dates
Saturday & Sunday: October 18-19, 2025
FREE Entry to festival grounds, education building, beer garden, and vendor areas
Multi-course mushroom-themed dinner with keynote speaker Langdon Cook
Tickets required - Limited seating available
Citizen science field trip into Olympic National Park
8:30 AM departure from fairgrounds
Vendor marketplace, education building, exhibits
Multiple tracks covering identification, cultivation, ecology, and more
Microscopy, DNA extraction, spore printing, and practical skills
Expert-led mushroom hunting expeditions
Local musicians, food trucks, and social time
Specialized sessions for experienced participants
Learn how fungi can help heal the planet
Bring your finds for expert identification
Planning for future conservation efforts
๐ค Featured Speakers & Educators
Background: Langdon Cook is the acclaimed author of "The Mushroom Hunters: On the Trail of an Underground America" and "Fat of the Land: Adventures of a 21st Century Forager." His writing has been featured in prestigious publications including National Geographic Traveler, Eating Well, and has been profiled in Bon Appetit, WSJ magazine, and Salon.com.
Expertise: Cook specializes in wild foods and the outdoors, with over 20 years of foraging experience in the Pacific Northwest. His work explores the intersection of food, nature, commerce, and human culture, making complex ecological concepts accessible to diverse audiences.
Books & Recognition:
- "The Mushroom Hunters" - Called "intrepid and inspired" by Publishers Weekly and selected as an Amazon Best Book of the Year
- "Fat of the Land" - Described by The Seattle Times as "lyrical, practical and quixotic"
- "Upstream" - Winner of the 2014 Pacific Northwest Book Award
What to Expect: Cook's presentations blend adventure storytelling with practical knowledge, taking audiences into the underground world of commercial mushroom hunting while sharing insights about sustainable foraging practices and the cultural significance of wild foods.
Background: Born around 1980, Alan Rockefeller is an American mycologist who specializes in fungi photography, microscopy, DNA barcoding, and taxonomy. National Geographic has described him as "one of the most well-known mycologists studying psilocybe species" with "near-encyclopedic knowledge of mushrooms on the west coast of the U.S."
Scientific Contributions: Through phylogenetic and microscopic analysis, Rockefeller has identified several species not previously described in scientific literature. He has documented over 1,000 species from Mexico and 1,000 species from California, making significant contributions to fungal taxonomy.
Current Projects:
- Working with indigenous Sacha-Wasi people to catalog Ecuadorian fungi species
- Documenting night-fruiting, bioluminescent and fluorescent mushrooms in Mexican cloud forests
- Active identification work on iNaturalist, Mushroom Observer, and Facebook
Media Recognition: His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, Smithsonian, and many other prestigious publications.
Teaching Philosophy: Rockefeller believes fungi photography serves dual purposes - scientific documentation and inspiring people to get excited about nature. His presentations combine technical expertise with accessible education.
Background: Aaron Hilliard runs Mushroom Wonderland, a popular mushroom foraging and identification media outlet, and serves as VP of the Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society and mycology instructor at Olympic College.
Personal Story: His love for fungi began in childhood when his grandmother Anna Backman introduced him to wild mushroom foraging. After spending 20 years in the forest and studying mycological literature, he became deeply involved in mycological education.
Educational Work:
- Host of the popular YouTube channel Mushroom Wonderland
- Offers guided wild mushroom informational tours and workshops
- Creates monthly guides to Pacific Northwest foraging
- Featured in documentaries about Pacific Northwest mushroom foraging
Community Impact: Hilliard's work makes mycology accessible to newcomers through engaging video content and hands-on workshops, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application for everyday foragers.
- Harte Singer: DNA extraction specialist offering exclusive workshops
- Lowell Dietz: Regional mushroom identification expert
- Drew Ryan: Animal-fungi relationship researcher
- Eva Gordon: Mycoremediation specialist
- Jamestown Tribe Health Officer: Medicinal mushroom traditions
๐ช Exhibitors & Vendors
- ๐งฌ Grow Kit Specialists: Home cultivation supplies and starter kits
- ๐จ Artisan Crafts: Mushroom-themed artwork, jewelry, and handmade goods
- ๐ Educational Materials: Field guides, identification tools, and mycology books
- ๐ Gourmet Producers: Specialty mushroom products and culinary ingredients
- ๐ฌ Scientific Equipment: Microscopes, collection tools, and research supplies
- ๐ฟ Natural Products: Mushroom-based supplements and wellness products
- ๐ Festival Merchandise: Branded apparel and commemorative items
The vendor marketplace operates with FREE ACCESS during festival hours, allowing visitors to browse and shop without requiring presentation tickets. Local farmers showcase fresh, seasonal mushrooms while artisans display fungi-inspired creations that celebrate the beauty of the mycological world.
๐ฌ Special Programs & Workshops
This citizen science initiative documents native fungi and compares restoration zones with less disturbed habitats while creating hands-on educational opportunities. Participants venture into Olympic National Park to experience and participate in documenting fungal diversity.
What's Included:
- Transportation via shuttle from fairgrounds
- Professional field orientation
- Hands-on collection and documentation training
- Contribution to ongoing fungal research
- Access to pristine Olympic Peninsula ecosystems
Departure: 8:30 AM from Clallam County Fairgrounds
An exclusive introduction to cutting-edge molecular techniques used in modern mycology. Learn how DNA sequencing revolutionizes fungal identification and taxonomy.
Discover the ancient art of creating natural dyes from mushrooms. Participants learn traditional techniques while creating their own dyed materials to take home.
Explore the microscopic world of fungi through hands-on sessions with high-quality equipment. Learn spore examination techniques essential for proper identification.
๐ฝ๏ธ Culinary Experiences
๐ Friday Keynote Dinner
Since 2023, this special add-on event has delighted guests with a multi-course mushroom-themed dinner crafted by renowned local chefs. The evening pairs exquisite culinary experiences with insights from keynote speaker Langdon Cook.
Location: Field Arts and Events Hall, Port Angeles Waterfront
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Experience: Multi-course tasting menu featuring seasonal Pacific Northwest mushrooms
Weekend Food Options:
- ๐ Food Trucks: Diverse culinary options throughout the festival
- ๐บ Beer Garden: Local craft beverages with mushroom-inspired pairings
- ๐ฅ Cooking Demonstrations: Learn preparation techniques for wild mushrooms
- ๐ Tasting Sessions: Sample prepared mushroom dishes from local chefs
๐๏ธ Accommodation & Camping
โบ On-Site Camping
The Clallam County Fairgrounds features on-site camping areas with power/water hookups, dump station, and restrooms that include showers.
Amenities Include:
- RV sites with full hookups
- Tent camping areas
- Clean restroom facilities
- Hot showers available 24/7
- Dump station for RVs
- Walking distance to all festival activities
๐ซ Ticket Information & Pricing
- Ticket Sales Begin: July 17, 2025
- Festival Dates: October 18-19, 2025
- Special Events: October 17, 2025 (Pre-festival)
Includes education building, vendor areas, beer garden, and grounds
Access to any one presentation of your choice
Choose any 3 presentations throughout the weekend
All presentations for one day with priority seating
Complete access to all presentations with priority seating
Includes Thursday Fungal Diversity field trip, Friday DNA extraction workshop, Friday Keynote dinner, and free workshop registration
- Kids 10 & Under: FREE
- FREE tickets available for some activities
- Group discounts for mycological societies
- Student pricing with valid ID
๐ฑ Conservation & Research Impact
The Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival goes beyond education to make real conservation impact. The festival brings people together in one of the most renowned ecosystems for fungi on Earth, fostering awareness about fungal conservation and ecosystem health.
- Species Documentation: Citizen science projects add to regional biodiversity databases
- Habitat Monitoring: Tracking ecosystem health through fungal indicators
- Education Outreach: Building the next generation of mycological stewards
- Indigenous Knowledge: Honoring traditional ecological wisdom
The festival's location on the ancestral lands of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe emphasizes the importance of indigenous knowledge in understanding fungal ecosystems and sustainable harvesting practices.
๐ Contact & More Information
Festival Email: info@opfungifestival.com
Official Website: www.opfungifestival.com
Alternative Site: www.olypenfungifest.com
As fellow mycology enthusiasts, we're excited to connect with festival attendees!
Visit our booth for exclusive growing tips and festival specials.
