Fungus Fair in San Francisco
The Mycological Society of San Francisco's 51st Annual Fungus Fair took place December 16, 2023. It is a comprehensive and engaging annual event for mushroom enthusiasts and the general public alike. The fair offers a diverse range of activities and features, making it an inclusive and educational experience.
Here are some highlights :
Hands-on Mushroom Activities: The inclusion of hands-on activities with an interactive and immersive experience for attendees, allowing them to engage with mushrooms in various ways.
Hands-on activities include crafts and do-it-yourself mushroom growing kits and many educational tables on varied subjects such as:
- Identification table - bring your specimens to find out what you have found!
- medicinal mushrooms
- myco-remediation
- cultivation
- ecology
- lichens
- psychoactive fungi
- toxicology
- microscopes and spore prints
Workshops and Panels: Workshops and panels featuring recognized experts provide valuable opportunities for learning and in-depth discussions on various aspects of mycology, from cultivation and ecology to medicinal uses and toxicology.
Display of Locally Collected Fungi: The display of over 300 locally collected fungi offers a chance for participants to observe and appreciate the rich diversity of mushrooms in the region.
Local Mushrooms on-sale
Identification Table: The presence of an identification table is beneficial for attendees who wish to have their own mushroom specimens classified by experts, promoting a hands-on learning experience.
Educational Displays: The fair's educational displays cover various topics such as fungi in medicine, cultivation, ecology, textile dyes, psychedelic properties and toxicology broaden the understanding of the multifaceted role of fungi in different aspects of life.
Identifying Mushrooms
Products for Purchase: Availability of products and materials related to foraging, studying, and consuming mushrooms allows attendees to acquire tools and resources to continue their exploration of mycology.
Casual Exchange: The mention of "elbow-to-elbow interactions" indicates a friendly and informal atmosphere that fosters casual exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants, creating a strong sense of community.
Inclusivity: The fair caters to a wide audience, from beginners to experienced mycologists to shroom heads, ensuring that there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy.
Shroom Heads attended.
