Come to Santa Cruz and visit the kingdom of Fungi! Learn about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of local fungi on display in a re-created woodland habitat. A unique Santa Cruz tradition, the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair features a special room full of hands-on activities for the kids, including a fungus exploration area, clay mushroom building, face paints, and more!
The 38th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair will be held at the Louden Nelson Community Center. Sponsored by the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz, the fair draws more than 2,000 visitors each year.
- Dr. Tom Bruns, UC Berkeley mycologist and past president of the Mycological Society of America, will speak on the Critical Roles of Fungi in Forests. - Culinary demonstrations by top bay area chefs, including Jozseph Schultz (India Joze) and Todd Spanier (King of Mushrooms). They will thrill your palate. - Nationally regarded mushroom author and expert David Arora will present The Wheel of Fungi. David is the author of Mushrooms Demystified and All That the Rain Promises and More. - Renowned herbalist Christopher Hobbs will discuss the medicinal properties of mushrooms. - Lectures by prominent mycologists and basics of mushroom identification in our popular Mushrooms 101 class. - A special Kid's Room full of hands-on activities for kids, including a fungus exploration area, clay mushroom building, face paints, mushroom-dyed silk, wonderful mushroom art and more! - Throughout the three-day event, Fungus Fair attendees be able to learn more about local mushrooms, get mushrooms identified experts at the ID table, view remarkable mushroom arts and crafts, and taste unusual and exceptionally good fungal fare.