The 34th-annual Humongous Fungus Fest is set to take place Friday and Saturday in Crystal Falls. Crystal Falls Business Association Barbara Luck, with dog Ellie, shows off the artwork for the Fungus Coloring Contest. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Get ready to “truffle off” to Crystal Falls this weekend for the annual Humongous Fungus Fest.

The Crystal Falls Business Association is set to host the 34th-annual celebration of the giant Armillaria gallica, which spreads over more than 37 subterranean acres near Crystal Falls.

Festivities run Friday and Saturday throughout the city.

The large fungus was discovered in the late 1980s by Johann Bruhn, a professor emeritus of plant science. Bruhn came across the “honey mushroom” during an unrelated experiment. It weighs an estimated 882,000 pounds and it’s at least 2,500 years old. It has been noted to be the size of 140 football fields.

“We are again looking forward to the two-day celebration,” CFBA President Barbara Luck said. “We have a few new things happening this year.”

Activities kick off with the city-wide rummage sale at 9 a.m. Friday that continues Saturday.

Shoppers are to look for posted signs, as there will be no overall maps, Luck said.

Luck reminds children to turn in artwork for the Fungus Coloring Contest by Friday at Charlie’s Emporium. Color sheets can be picked up at Charlie’s Emporium, City Hall or the Crystal Theatre.

“We did the coloring contest years ago and decided to bring it back,” Luck said.

Participants will be entered to win a free Fungus Fest T-shirt.

New this year, Iron County Youth Wrestling has planned a “Under the Lights” Fungus Fest 16 Team Dual Wrestling Tournament at 4 p.m. Friday at the Runkle Lake baseball field. Concessions will be available.

At 6 p.m. Friday, everyone is invited to the Crystal Falls Library as Jim Jackson will present “Details in Storytelling: Scenery and Snow Leopards.”

The 2025 Humongous Fungus Fest parade steps off on Superior Avenue at 10 a.m. Saturday. Parade participants can line up from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the Forest Park School parking lot. No registration is required and everyone is welcome to participate.

“We will be presenting trophies for the Best Fungus Float and Best-Dressed Mushroom,” she said, adding judging will be done while lining up.

The CFBA’s Vendor Village Craft and Gift Show will be open all day behind the Crystal Theatre and Charlie’s Emporium.

“We have some really cool things coming in,” Luck said.

The Humongous Pizza is back again. The 100-square-foot pie will be constructed from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with serving to start at about noon on Third Street behind Ben Franklin.

They note that serving time will depend on its cooking, which is based on weather temperature.

“New to the fest is the smoked food competition and beer garden, also located on Third Street near the pizza,” Luck said.

This first BBQ Contest is planned in the afternoon, with judging for chicken at 2 p.m., ribs at 3 p.m. and pork butt at 4 p.m., with the People’s Choice will follow.

Entry fee is $100, with meat provided. To sign up, contact Pat Sommers at 906-284-0732 or Peter Golob at 513-314-9424.

The beer garden, with selections from the Alpha Michigan Brewing Company, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. They will also have music throughout the afternoon.

Members of the Harbour House Museum, 17 N. Fourth St., will offer a menu of mushroom burgers, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, mushroom hot dogs, hot dogs, chips and water from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The museum will also be open during the fest.

“This is a fundraiser for the Harbour House,” she said.

The Friends of the Library will have a used book sale and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the library. Funds raised will help sponsor adult and youth programs at the library.

Christ United Methodist Church of Crystal Falls will host its annual Fungus Fest Pie Social from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. The social is sponsored by United Methodist Women.

A slice of pie is $5, which comes with a complimentary beverage. They will also have whole pies available for purchase.

Luck said businesses will offer specials, and other activities throughout Saturday, including painting mushrooms near the Vendor Village area.

The CFBA will again place buckets of chalk throughout Superior Avenue for everyone to enjoy doing artwork on the sidewalk.

“We love to see everyone’s signatures downtown,” Luck said. “It’s just another thing to add to the fun.”

After spending the afternoon enjoying the festivities, attendees can head to the Crystal Theatre as they will present “American Gold That ’70s Music 2025” featuring Mark Oliverius and the Nashville Hitmen at 7 p.m. Saturday at the theatre.

Advanced tickets for the show can be purchased online at thecrystaltheatre.org, by phone at 906-875-3208 or at the box office at Stage Left from 9 a.m. to noon through Friday.

Crystal Falls area resident Jenn Henkelman’s design was chosen for the 2025 Humongous Fungus Fest T-shirt logo. T-shirts and sweatshirts can be ordered at Black Dog Printing.

Luck noted a mushroom forage session will not take place during Fungus Fest this year due to the timing of the festival. They currently have it set for Sept. 13, during the Fall Forage event.

The mushroom cookoff at the Harbour House will be done at the same time, she added.

The CFBA asks that anyone who has ideas or was involved in past Fungus Fest events to contact Luck. “People have been asking to bring back things like the strongman competition. We would love to but are seeking the help from those who took part in the past few years,” she said.

“We hope the local and surrounding community members, along with visitors, come to Crystal Falls to enjoy a fun weekend at Fungus Fest,” Luck said. “It’s also the perfect time to check out area businesses and support local vendors.”

For more details on the event, go to the Humongous Fungus Fest Facebook page.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.