5 Things We're Excited for at the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival
Are you ready to embark on a culinary festival adventure filled with earthy delights and local flair? One of Morgan Hill’s biggest festivals of the year—the Mushroom Festival—is just around the corner, promising a 2-day feast for the senses that mushroom enthusiasts, foodies, and Bay Area event lovers won't want to miss. The Downtown Morgan Hill Amphitheater and Community & Cultural Center grounds will come alive Memorial Day Weekend with arts and crafts vendors, gourmet food booths, live bands on the amphitheater and acoustic stages, strolling musicians and street performers, beer & wine gardens, cooking demonstrations, and a mushroom expo.
With so much to anticipate in this celebration of all things fungi, here are five highlights that have us counting down the days:
1. Mushrooms Galore
As the Western United States Mushroom Capital of the World, it’s only right for Morgan Hill to put the star of the show at center stage! Morgan Hill is home to Sempera Organics, producing premium functional mushrooms and food products, and the Monterey Mushrooms farm is one of 7 farms across North America, producing millions of pounds of mushrooms per year. The annual Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival offers a tantalizing array of mushroom varieties to learn about, sample, and savor. Whether you're a seasoned mycophile or a curious novice, there's something for everyone. Visit the Mushroom Educational Display and Exhibit sponsored by the Western Mushroom Growers Association, located in the rose garden of the Community & Cultural Center to learn about the health benefits of mushrooms, how mushrooms are grown, or purchase a growing kit to explore the craft yourself.
2. Cooking Demos
Get ready to be inspired by the culinary prowess of passionate chefs as they showcase the versatility of mushrooms in a series of live cooking demonstrations. Learn new techniques, gather insider tips, and discover innovative ways to incorporate mushrooms into your home cooking repertoire. From gourmet appetizers to indulgent main courses, these chefs will demonstrate the endless possibilities that mushrooms offer. Enjoy cooking demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs including Chef Raul Escareno Jr born and raised in Morgan Hill, Chef Tyler Graham Executive Chef of Craft Roots Vegan Bar & Grill, the Sakabozzo Comedy Cooking Duo, and Albert J The Untamed Chef. Then, visit the many food vendors showcasing Mushroom dishes from stuffed, sautéed, sandwiched, deep fried and grilled.
3. Entertainment
Two stages of live entertainment will fill the day with music, featuring about 20 bands and ensembles! The Mardi Gras Stage is located at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater, with a full line up of bands on both days. The mix is a bit of everything, but one thing is for sure—it will get you dancing! Take in musical favorites, classic rock, blues and bluegrass and kick up your heels. Enjoy international sensations Hotel California, the Original Eagles Tribute Band headlining Saturday. On Sunday is San Francisco's hottest dance & party band, The Party Starters. The Acoustic Stage will feature local talent, like Cook’n Fenny playing folk, blues, country, rock, and more. Enjoy the strolling musicians and street performers who will be mixing and mingling throughut the festival with wandering performances. If music is your jam, check out the schedule.
4. Artisanal Products & Crafts
Support small regional businesses and local artisans as you peruse a vast selection of 130 product and craft vendors! From handcrafted pottery adorned with whimsical mushroom motifs to mushroom-infused oils, sauces, and other culinary goods, you'll find a treasure trove of unique offerings to take home as souvenirs or gifts to give away later. Discover funky apparel, décor, jewelry, self-care products, and an array of services like Farm Fresh To You or YogaSix Morgan Hill. We’re especially excited to check out Bart Bridge’s selection of retro-style city logo trucker hats and the “shroomcicles” from Santa Cruz Fungi—gourmet popsicles infused with mushroom extract. Celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of these makers and the beauty of their creations.
5. Food & Drink
Prepare your taste buds for umami-rich flavors and unexpected culinary delights. Mushrooms can be tasted in soup, stuffed, sandwiched, deep-fried, marinated, over rice and much more. At the food court you’ll also find tri tip sandwiches, ribs, pulled pork and brisket, turkey drumsticks, calamari, kabobs, kettle corn, gyros, falafels, Philly cheese steak, Chinese food, Mexican food, and the list goes on. There will also be plenty of locations to quench your thirst, including three wine booths throughout the festival serving popular local wines, beer trailers conveniently placed near all the food and entertainment, and a beer garden serving microbrews. You’ll also find refreshing sangria and water, lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch, fruit smoothies, aguas frescas, frappes, coffees, and homemade sodas throughout the food court. Rumor has it, there may even be mushroom beer and ice cream available for sampling!
With so much to taste and explore, the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival promises a memorable experience for mushroom enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Join us as we celebrate mushrooms in all their glory and we hope to see what gets you excited at this year’s event!
Photos courtesy of Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival, photographer Doug Rogers.
