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Honoring a mighty mushroom

CF hosts annual Humongous Fungus Fest on Friday, Saturday

CRYSTAL FALLS BUSINESS Association president Barbara Luck gets the banner ready for this weekend’s Humongous Fungus Festival. The activities kick off with the parade Friday at 6 p.m. down Superior Avenue. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — The city of Crystal Falls this weekend will play host to one of the Upper Peninsula’s most unique festivals.

The 31st annual Humongous Fungus Fest kicks off Friday, with events running through Saturday evening.

The Armillaria gallica, which covers 37-plus subterranean acres, was discovered in 1992 near Crystal Falls. Since that time, the community has celebrated the more than 1,500-year-old living organism, which weighs an estimated 100 tons.

“There is something for the whole family to enjoy this weekend,” said Barbara Luck, president of the Crystal Falls Business Association.

The festival officially kicks off with the annual fungus parade at 6 p.m. down Superior Avenue in downtown Crystal Falls. The parade will disband at the bottom of the hill at Superior Sport and Feed. Participants are asked to begin to line up at 5:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Forest Park School.

THE INSIDERS will present a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute show at 7 p.m. Friday at the Crystal Theatre in Crystal Falls. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“Everyone is encouraged to be in the festival parade,” Luck said.

This year’s theme is “Free Fallin’,” which coincides with the Tom Petty Tribute band concert.

“We never know where the theme is coming from each year,” Luck said. “We want to make it fun.”

The Crystal Falls District Community Library will have its third annual Used Book Sale from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday on the sidewalk outside of the library. During this time, Marquette musician Troy Graham will perform in the pocket park.

At 7 p.m., the band The Insiders will take the stage at the Crystal Theatre to present the premier Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers experience.

“I’m excited about this concert — we have been trying to get them forever,” she said.

Tickets can be purchased online at thecrystaltheatre.org or by calling 906-875-3208. Tickets will also be available at the door.

On Saturday, activities begin with the first Mushroom Foray at 9 a.m. Those interested are asked to meet at the Forest Park School parking lot.

“This is a great way to learn about mushroom identification firsthand,” said Luck, noting the field trip will be led by Tavis Lynch of Cumberland, Wis.

“They will be going to a couple different locations in search of wild mushrooms,” she said.

The second group for the Mushroom Foray will depart at noon, also leaving from the school parking lot.

They remind participants to wear proper clothing and shoes, and bring water and bug spray.

Grouse Acres will present a demonstration on how to start a mushroom log from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Harbour House Museum porch.

“He will be talking about the science of mushrooms, inoculating logs and how you grow them,” she said.

Shiitake Creek will be a vendor selling items for those interested in growing their own mushrooms, Luck added. “This works out perfect for the beginners that are interested in purchasing logs, as we are providing them with the knowledge from Grouse Acres,” she said.

The Vendors Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot behind the Crystal Theatre. Many local artists will be selling their crafts, including pottery, artwork and more.

Luck said space still is available for those interested in taking part in the craft and vendor show.

Activities continue at the Harbour House Museum in the afternoon with the Mushroom Cook-Off. Judging will start at 1:30 p.m.

Locals are invited to submit a mushroom appetizer, including soups or salads. All entries must include mushrooms, which can be canned or fresh but must be purchased from a store or a local mushroom vendor.

Entry forms are available at the Harbour House, city hall, Charlie’s Emporium, Iron County Chamber Office in Iron River or by going to the Facebook page for a printable form.

The public is welcome to watch the judging, as well as taste test the entries after the contest concludes.

“This is something we have done years ago; we wanted to change this up and bring a few different things back,” Luck said, adding, “The Harbour House has revamped its exhibits and we are hoping this draws some interested in the museum as well.”

The United Methodist Women will conduct its annual Pie Social from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church of Crystal Falls. Cost for a slice of pie and complimentary beverage is $4. They will also offer a limited amount of whole pies for sale. This is UMW’s largest fundraiser of the year, with the money going to help various missions in and around the community.

The Crystal Theatre will feature two showings of the locally filmed documentary, “The Humongous Fungus Among Us,” with producer Tim Warmanen on Saturday.

The film, which will be shown at 2 and 7 p.m., features interviews by the scientists who studied the fungus — Dr. Johann Bruhn, a retired forest pathologist at the University of Missouri at Columbia; and Dr. Jim Anderson and Dr. Myron Smith, biology professors in Canada.

Inclusion Dance Studio will sponsor a Kids Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harbour House grounds. They will have a variety of children’s activities including free gymnastic class, kids Ninja Warrior Parkour Obstacle Course, races and games, along with face painting, lemonade and cotton candy.

The North Country Cruizers Car Show is set from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Northern Interstate Bank. The show will feature an wide array of cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and more. There is no entry fee or trophies — it’s just for fun, Luck said.

The CFBA will be placing buckets of chalk throughout the downtown for fest-goers to do sidewalk art.

“People enjoy seeing the colorful art throughout town,” Luck said.

Crystal Falls residents are invited to take part in the city-wide rummage sales throughout the weekend. Shoppers are to look for sale signs.

The Finn vs. Pollack softball games will close out the annual event on Saturday evening at Runkle Lake.

Local businesses and food vendors will offer mushroom-themed dishes along with their regular menu items during the event.

The Crystal Falls Business Association has 2022 Humongous Fungus Fest merchandise available as well. Those unable to attend the event can go to the Humongous Fungus Fest Facebook page to order.

Luck stressed that they are very fortunate to have the supportive of the city.

She encourages everyone to come check out the weekend’s activities. “It’s going to be a lot of fun for the whole family,” she said.

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