Nearly 700 fungi-loving patrons of all ages gathered for the first-ever Gulf Coast Fungi Festival over the weekend at Weeks Bay Plantation to celebrate mushrooms in all their diversity and glory.

Started by mushroom enthusiasts and entrepreneurs Allen Carroll, of Fungi Farm, and Tanner Hammond, of Mushroom Man Tan, the festival aimed to educate and entertain, with expert speakers, cooking demonstrations and group forays paired with live music, vendors and overnight camping for the three-day event.

“It just seems like in North America and specifically the United States, we haven’t embraced mushrooms as a commodity food source in the same way  some countries have, especially mushrooms outside of shiitake and portobello. … The goal of this event is to spread awareness about the other types of mushrooms and their uses,” Carroll said.

Both Carroll and Hammond said they have every intention of bringing back the festival next year.