Enthusiasts Gear Up for the Second Annual Stevenson Mushroom Festival
STEVENSON, Wash. — The arrival of autumn heralds not just scenic foliage in the Pacific Northwest, but an exciting event for mushroom enthusiasts: the Second Annual Stevenson Mushroom Festival. Scheduled to commence on September 27, this year’s festival promises to be a delightful blend of community engagement and culinary exploration, featuring a gala for adults and a family-friendly scavenger hunt.
Mushroom foraging, a cherished pastime for many in the region, celebrates the diverse fungi that thrive under the rich canopy of Skamania County’s forests. Local resident Dina Grinstead, who has passionately embraced mushroom hunting for nearly a decade, equates the experience to a “treasure hunt.” “I either dry them or we cook them, make soup,” she notes, sharing her enthusiasm for the delicacies of the forest floor.
Currently, various mushroom species such as chanterelles, lobster mushrooms, and boletes are in season. However, the dry spell experienced this year has resulted in a reduced yield for foragers. With her extensive experience, Grinstead often finds herself guided not only by her passion but also by her 8-year-old son, Felix, who has taken a keen interest in mushrooms. His youthful curiosity is evident as he shares fascinating tidbits about mushroom ecology, like the existence of “mushroom worms” that can affect fungi growth. “My favorite part about it is having fun in the forest, and I like finding the mushrooms,” Felix expresses with pure enthusiasm.
This passion for mushrooms is shared within the community and has ignited the impetus for the festival. Tabatha Wiggins, a family friend and self-proclaimed “blossoming enthusiast,” is instrumental in organizing the Stevenson Mushroom Festival for its second year. “The inaugural year was a great success; we had a lot of fun. It sold out, so we decided to do it again,” Wiggins reflected.
The festival will feature a glamorous Mushroom Gala at the Columbia Gorge Museum, catering to guests aged 21 and older, while Saturday will see the Mushroom Hunt Passport Adventure take over the town. The event offers an engaging way for attendees to explore 19 designated locations in Stevenson, collecting unique stamps for their passport along the way. Local restaurants and shops will also join in the festivities by presenting mushroom-themed specials, thus enhancing the communal experience.
Wiggins emphasizes the fervor surrounding mushrooms, stating, “People are just fanatic about mushrooms. We wanted to create something that would celebrate that, do something family-friendly, and inspire people to explore Stevenson and all it has to offer.”
For those looking to embark on their own foraging adventures, experts advise preparation as paramount. Essential tips include wearing sturdy footwear, carrying water, and possessing the requisite knowledge of local flora to ensure safe and responsible foraging. A critical guideline remains: do not harvest any mushrooms that cannot be positively identified.
Ultimately, for young Felix, the thrill of the hunt may well involve keeping certain secrets. “Don’t expect me to give away my secret mushroom trail anytime soon,” he remarked, hinting at the close-knit community of foragers eager to share their passion while preserving their
