2025 Kootenay Mushroom Festival

Come join us at the 4th annual Kootenay Mushroom Festival in beautiful Kaslo, BC for a fungi-filled day of fun! Whether you’re a seasoned forager or just curious about the world of mushrooms, this event is perfect for you. Enjoy guided mushroom forays, talks from experts in the field, unique hands-on workshops, a mushroom-themed artisan market and more. We can’t wait to see you there!

SCHEDULE for SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025

8:00-9:00am | Registration and opening remarks

9:00am-12:00pm | Guided forays with expert leaders

12:00-1:30pm | Lunch break | Browse the Mushroom Market,visit the ID tables, and take in special musical performances and talks

1:30-5:00pm | Ongoing workshops and lectures

BUTTON STAGE

The Button Stage at the Mushroom Market will feature a mix of short talks, hands-on demos, and entertainment throughout the day. Don’t miss inspiring speakers like Heather Scott, Erik Hrabalsky, and Chelsea Dawn, plus live sets from DJ Dubconscious, a mushroom puppet show by Puppets on the Move, a special performance by the Chanterelles kids choir, and more!

MUSHROOM COSTUME CONTEST 

We’re hosting our very first Mushroom Costume Contest — and you’re invited to get creative! We want to see your fungal fashion come to life. Adults have the chance to win a free pass to next year’s festival, and kids can take home a mushroom-themed basket. Enter at the Info Booth, where we’ll snap your photo and collect your details. Winners will be announced on our socials the next day!

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

Afternoon workshops are now first-come, first-served for festival ticket holders. There’s plenty of space, but arrive early to snag your spot and get the most out of these hands-on sessions.

• Advanced Mushroom ID – Leanne Stacy Reitan and Tyson Ehlers
  Join local experts for a spirited discussion of mushroom identification around the ID tables. Get your toughest mushroom ID questions answered, and build your skills for future forays!
• The Art of the Mushroom – Candice Cullum
  Learn the art of dyeing with fungi as pots simmer with earthy, vibrant colors. Along the way, explore other creative uses for mushrooms — from biofabrication to papermaking — and leave inspired by their boundless potential.
• Poisonous Mushrooms – Patrick Kooyman
  Sharpen your mushroom safety skills with tips on spotting poisonous species, understanding their toxins, and avoiding dangerous lookalikes. Gain the know-how to stay safe while foraging and to respond quickly if poisoning occurs.
• Fungi that Rocked Human History – Rob Macrae
  A fascinating journey through the fungi that changed the course of human events. From the rye ergot behind St. Anthony’s Fire to the mold that gave us penicillin, explore notorious plant pathogens, medicinal powerhouses, and the surprising ways fungi have shaped our world.
• Medicinal Mushrooms for Mental Health – Marie Zak
  Explore how medicinal mushrooms can support brain health, emotional balance, and nervous system regulation. Herbalist and somatic therapist Marie Zak shares practical tips for safe use, sourcing, and weaving these powerful allies into daily life.
• Psychedelic Mushrooms as Medicine – Travis Cartwright
  Discover the historical, cultural, and therapeutic uses of Psilocybe mushrooms. Learn how intentional, respectful use can open the door to profound healing, insight, and personal transformation.
• Forage to Table: Cooking with Mushrooms – Ryan Steffler
  Join Chef Ryan Steffler (Counter-Cultured Foods, the Cultured Kitchen) for a live cooking demonstration featuring fine foraged and farmed local mushrooms. Cap the session off with some delicious samples of the gourmet creations!
• Make a Mushroom Bucket – Nathan French
  Join Nathan French from Annabelle Mushrooms for a fun, hands on session where participants create and take home their own fruiting bucket of oyster mushrooms!

PLEASE NOTE:

No refunds, barring extenuating circumstances.

Children under 12 are welcome to attend the morning foray for free, as long as they’re accompanied by a parent holding a General Admission ticket. Children who wish to participate in the afternoon workshops will require their own tickets.

Unfortunately pets are not allowed as we’ve had some issues in the past, so please leave your fur babies at home.

QUESTIONS?
Reach us by email at: kootenaymushroomfestival@gmail.com, or by sending us a message through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kootenaymushroomfestival) or Instagram account (www.instagram.com/kootenaymushroomfestival).