Jim Barg, Publicity Chair, New Jersey Mycological Association
What, exactly, is a mushroom? What are these “things” growing in my lawn? Are they poisonous? Are they edible? Are my pets safe if they eat them? What good are mushrooms, anyway?
Answers to these and other questions you have about mushrooms will be found at the Fungus Fest 2010, which will be presented by the New Jersey Mycological Association on Sunday, September 19 at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Be prepared to have your eyes opened and to have your mind boggled by the amazing and beautiful world of mushrooms and fungi! It’s a full day of fun and education for the entire family that you won’t soon forget.
Fungus Fest is what one might call a giant "science fair of mushrooms" It includes extensive exhibits of mushrooms, mushroom art and photography, guided outdoor mushroom walks with NJMA experts, edible and poisonous mushroom information, how-to’s on mushroom cultivation and mushroom cooking, talks and presentations for beginners, medicinal uses of mushrooms, and even demonstrations of crafts like papermaking and fabric dyeing using mushrooms. Members of the public are invited to bring their own mushroom specimens in for identification by our experts.
In addition to the activities, mushroom books, field guides, and mushroom crafts will be available for purchase.
Fungus Fest is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for those under 16.
The New Jersey Mycological Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about mushrooms and fungi. Its large, active, and enthusiastic roster of more than 400 members includes several of the world’s leading experts on mushrooms, as well as those who are simply interested in identifying and collecting mushrooms for the table or their own curiosity. Information and directions are available at the club’s web site, www.njmyco.org. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is located at 53 East Hanover Avenue in Morristown, NJ.

