Galiano Mushroom Festival
Mushroom Festival 2016 — now better than ever!
This is the 16th year for the Galiano Naturalists’ Mushroom Festival and the Festival is expanding from one to two days — Saturday and Sunday, November 5 – 6 from 10 am to 4 pm each day, at the South Community Hall. There will be artists’ displays, naturalists’ displays, and a display from the Galiano Bookstore at the hall throughout the day on both days.
Saturday events
On Saturday between 11 am and 1 pm four island chefs (Jesse McCleery, Douglas Thistle-Walker, Orion Finnie, and Graham Barber) will offer a sample of their delicious mushroom canapés creations. (Tickets for this event are limited and are $10 at the door – email galianonaturalists@gmail.com to reserve)
At 1:30 pm on Saturday, soil scientist Dr. Shannon Berch from the BC Ministry of Environment will present a free public talk titled “Mushrooms of Galiano”. In her presentation Dr. Berch will highlight the edible, poisonous and non-timber forest product mushrooms and fungi of the island, and encourage island mushroom enthusiasts and naturalists to continue to document the biodiversity of Galiano Island mushrooms.
Following Dr. Berch’s presentation, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm she will lead a mushroom identification workshop along with Galiano’s resident mushroom expert René Zich. This workshop is designed for those who wish to learn more about island mushrooms and about how to tell the difference between those that are edible and poisonous. (There are a limited number of tickets for this in-depth workshop – $10 at the door – email galianonaturalists@gmail.com to reserve)
Sunday events
On Sunday the doors will open at 10 am for the public to view the amazing display of hundreds of kinds of mushrooms and other fungi collected on Galiano by René Zich. Community members are invited to bring specimens that they have collected for René and Dr. Berch to identify and add to the display. Also on Sunday, the always-popular mushroom-themed lunch will be available for purchase at noon.
For further information please email galianonaturalists@gmail.com or call Mike Hoebel at (250) 539-2003.