Mushroom hunter Kate Mohatt, an ecologist with Chugach National Forest, is set to headline the speaker list for the 19th annual Cordova Fungus Festival, this year from Sept. 19-21 at the Cordova Center.
The annual event includes activities ranging from a fungus feast and festival raffle to children’s activities, arts and culture, and guided fungus forays.
Mohatt, along with forest ecologist Steve Trudell and fungus expert Noah Siegel, are all the authors of “Mushrooms of Alaska,” a new book set for publication on Oct. 14. Mohatt also was among those who helped start the Girdwood Fungus Festival.
“Mushrooms and fungus is its own kingdom of life and there is so much we don’t know,” said Cathy Renfeldt, executive director of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce. “We are just starting to learn because it has been such an underfunded field of science for so long.”
The community welcomes fungus-pluckers and lichen-lovers from near and far for the festival, although most participants will likely be from Cordova, as the timing of the festival comes during the coho salmon sport fishing season, when most accommodations in town are booked solid.
Festival attendees will have opportunities to explore this northernmost coastal rainforest and learn more about local mushrooms, participate in art and handcraft workshops, and celebrate mushrooms, salmon, and other wild-harvested foods in several ways, including at the fungus feast.
At the feast, diners will be served a four-course meal highlighting flavors of the season, along with live entertainment and a silent auction featuring a selection of unique and high-value items. The fungus feast and auction are the primary fundraiser to ensure that the festival continues to thrive for years to come. The feast is a ticketed dining event limited to just 90 people. Tickets are $65, with a $5 discount for those registered for the entire festival.
“The Fungus Festival is a great opportunity to learn more about mushrooms and lichens in your backyard,” said Erin Cooper, Forest Service program manager for wildlife, ecology and vegetation management.
The festival is hosted by the Cordova Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Chugach National Forest Cordova Ranger District, Prince William Sound Science Center and The Net Loft.
“As the lead organizing entity of the festival, we are grateful for the diverse partnerships that make this event possible, adding vibrance and building community resilience in a way that aligns with Cordova’s regenerative tourism vision,” Renfeldt said.
As a partnership between many local Cordova agencies, the Cordova Fungus Festival hopes to offer something for everyone, including the littlest Cordova residents.
“Understanding local ecosystems starts in youth, which is why the Prince William Sound Science Center is proud to partner with the Cordova Fungus Festival to provide enriching and educational activities for kids and adults alike,” said Kate Trudeau, education specialist for the Prince William Sound Science Center.
The Net Left plans to offer an array of woodland-inspired art and handcraft classes and supplies that compliment mushroom education and foraging activities.
Registration for the festival is already open at www.cordovafungusfest.com.
Tickets are $20 for adults. Children 12 and younger are free but still must be registered. People ages 13-18 and 65 and older qualify for student and senior rates respectively.
