https://www.kentuckytourism.com/events/fall-fungi-fest-11051
We are proud to announce our upcoming FALL FUNGI FEST slated for September 26 - 28, 2025! This is a change from last year's Mycology in May. As we partner with the Bluegrass Mycological Society (BMS), we have moved the event to the Fall - hoping to gather critical fungi occurrence data during the colder season. Check out the program list below!
All ages event! Each session is $5 per person or free for those 12 and under (All minors must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian). For BMS members, admission for each session will be only $3.
Outside programs are weather dependent. Close-toed shoes, insect and tick repellents, and water are highly recommended! See you there!
SCHEDULE
Friday, September 26th
5:00 P.M. FUNGI 101 & INTRO TO iNat: Join BMS expert Neelun Lew for this awesome show and tell session in the Worthington Lodge! A wide variety of mushrooms native to Kentucky and the Appalachian region will be on display for you to observe and touch. This will be a great time for you to ask about your own observations. For those interested, we can assist in downloading and using the iNaturalist app on your smartphone. We are hoping to gain valuable fungi data this weekend with the app!
Meeting Point: Worthington Lodge – Pavilion Room. 1 hr.
8:00 P.M. ULTRAVIOLET HIKE: BMS expert Neelun Lew we be leading us down the Buffalo Trace Trail into a nature preserve where the habitat creates a favorable environment for a variety of fungi. We will be using an ultraviolet light to show the fluorescent properties of mushrooms on either side of the trail. Make sure to bring your own flashlight! If time permits, we may venture to another nearby field to see what we can find! This walk is mostly on flat surfaces.
Meeting Point: Pioneer Museum Parking Lot. 1 hr.
Saturday, September 27th
9:00 A.M. ID HIKE: This morning, we will be heading down a section of the Heritage Trail near the replica fort for an awesome morning identification hike! Make sure to bring your camera! The meeting point is the Tanner Station Fort area. Please reference a park map to find the location or inquire at the lodge front desk. Sturdy footwear, long pants, and bug spray is recommended. The walk is at times on uneven surfaces.
Meeting Point: Tanner Station Parking Lot. 1 hr.
11:00 A.M. MUSHROOM MYTHS DEBUNKED: Amos Zoeller will be helping unveil some of the truths and some of the no-so-true facts surrounding mushrooms. This is the type of program you always wanted to attend!
Meeting Point: Worthington Lodge – Pavilion Room. 1 hr.
1:00 P.M. MEDICINE/FOOD USES HIKE: *Please consult with a physician prior to taking any supplements or foods for health benefits or if you have allergy concerns. This hike will be along the Indian Run Trail. Let our guides take you down the path of potential natural health benefits! Parts of this hike could be considered strenuous by some. A short walk to the trailhead will be made after meeting in the lodge lobby.
Meeting Point: Lodge Lobby. 1 hr.
3:00 P.M. HOW TO: HANDS ON MUSHROOM GROWING: Dana Smith of the University of Kentucky Mycology Club will be giving some great insight and pointers about growing your own mushrooms. Do you want to make mushroom growing a reality? Dana will also be offering some products for sale afterwards. Please consult with a physician prior to taking any supplement or foods for health benefits or if you have allergy concerns.
Meeting Point: Worthington Lodge – Pavilion Room. 1 hr.
5:00 P.M. ID HIKE #2: We have a second ID hike scheduled to see what we can find! The meeting point for this program is the boat ramp parking lot. The hike could be considered strenuous by some. Please reference a park map to find a location or inquire at the lodge front desk.
Meeting Point: Boat Ramp Parking Lot. 1 hr.
8:00 P.M. ULTRAVIOLET HIKE #2: For this second UV Hike, we will be traversing down behind the campground. We will be using an ultraviolet light to show the fluorescent properties of mushrooms. Make sure to bring your own flashlight!
Meeting Point: Mini-Golf/Shelter House Parking Lot. 1 hr.
Sunday, September 28th
9:00 A.M. LICHEN WALK WITH BIOLOGIST MEAGHAN PETIX: Join plant biologist Meaghan Petix as she helps you explore an organism closely related to fungi – Lichen! This is a great time to get in front of a real biologist and ask some of your more intriguing scientific questions! We will be heading down a moderately steep ravine and the hike could be considered strenuous by some. Very scenic!
Meeting Point: Pioneer Museum Parking Lot. 1 hr.
11:00 A.M. TIPS FOR FUNGAL FOTOGRAPHY: Fenner Martin Morse of BMS will be providing you with some pointers on how to hone your macrophotography skills – specifically with fungi! This program will enhance your appreciation for the smaller things in life and may even advance your identification skills!
Meeting Point: Worthington Lodge – Pavilion Room. 1 hr.
Noon FINAL SUMMARY, Q/A, DATA AND PRIZES: During the final gathering of the weekend, our experts will be open to any other questions you may have. Also, we will have an overview of all the iNaturalist data collected during our sessions. Door Prize Drawing - Any winners who can’t be present on the final day will be contacted via information provided during registration. Registration can be made prior to each program. Also, for the participant who found the rarest fungi species during one of the weekend hikes (as determined by our experts) they will receive a donated mushroom portrait!
Meeting Point: Worthington Lodge – Pavilion Room. 1 hr.
*Final session free and open to all!
Also check out other Meetups in Ewing, Festivals in Ewing, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Ewing.
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