Guerneville’s inaugural Russian River Fungi Fest drew a crowd of thousands this weekend, transforming downtown into a whimsical hub for all things mushroom.
Per the Press Democrat, attendees donned fungi-themed attire to browse over 100 vendors, attend expert-led workshops, and enjoy local restaurant menus specially redesigned for the occasion.
Beyond the mushroom-shaped stools and spore art, the event served a serious purpose: educating the public on safe foraging following a recent spike in wild mushroom poisonings across the state.
Organizers say they are “blown away” by the turnout and hope to make the festival an annual tradition to boost the Russian River economy during the winter off-season.