🌿🍄 Join Us for MushFest 2026! 🍄🌿
The North Texas Mycological Association is thrilled to present the fourth annual, North Texas Mushroom Festival – MushFest 2026! This exciting event will take place at the Red Wolf Intentional Community outside of Bonham, TX, from Saturday, May 16th to Sunday, May 17th—a weekend dedicated to the incredible world of fungi!
Prepare for an immersive experience featuring some of the top experts in mycology as we dive into a fungi-filled weekend packed with:
Festival Preview:
🍄 Multiple Presentations from Top Experts in Mycology!
🌲 6+ hours of guided forays and an opportunity to explore the Caddo National Grasslands in search of wild mushrooms including a nighttime UV walk!
🌱 Mushroom Cultivation & Build Your Own Oyster Grow Kit Workshop
👨🍳 Mushroom Cooking Demonstrations by Emory Market Gardens & NTMA
🎶 Live Music, Entertainment, & Camping
...plus so much more!
New This Year: Special Collections & DNA Sequencing Program
We are proud to launch a groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the United States Forest Service—a Fungal Biodiversity Survey of the Caddo National Grasslands. This ecologically rich and heavily wooded region is home to an incredible diversity of fungal species, and we aim to voucher, catalog, and document our discoveries through our iNaturalist Project.
With nearly 23,500 observations contributed by 220+ community members, we’re on a mission to double that number in the coming years! Our goal for 2026 is to collect and sequence DNA from 150+ unique and unidentified fungal specimens, with many of these discoveries happening at MushFest 2026!
To help us achieve this, we’re bringing in renowned experts from across the state and abroad to guide attendees in citizen science efforts—giving you the skills to contribute meaningfully to fungal research while deepening your understanding of the natural world.
Choose Your Experience!
Can’t make it for the entire weekend? No worries! We now offer Single-Day Passes so you can attend on the day that works best for you. But for the best value, grab a Weekend Pass and experience it all!
Members get 10% off their total order! Not a member yet? Join today!
Come be part of this incredible celebration of fungi, science, and community. We can’t wait to see you at MushFest 2026! 🍄✨
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
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Multiple Presentations from Top Experts in Mycology!
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6+ hours of guided forays and an opportunity to explore the Caddo National Grasslands in search of wild mushrooms including a nighttime UV walk!
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Mushroom Cultivation & Build Your Own Oyster Grow Kit Workshop
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Mushroom Cooking Demonstrations by Emory Market Gardens & NTMA
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Live Music and Entertainment
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Camping Included with Weekend Pass
TICKETS
Members Receive 10% off total ticket purchase. Membership Details>
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General Weekend Pass (Includes Camping on Property)
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Adults - $80
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Kids (Ages 11-17) - $45 (Must be purchased with Adult Pass)
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Kids 10 and under are free with purchase of weekend pass
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Day Pass - Saturday, May 16th (No Camping)
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Adults - $55
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Kids - $30
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Day Pass - Sunday, May 17th
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Adults - $45
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Kids - $30
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SPONSORED BY:
PRESENTERS:
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 16 – A Day of Discovery & Citizen Science
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Arrival, Basecamp Setup & Check-In
ick off your MushFest experience at the Welcome Station. Upon arrival, receive your festival badge, field guide, and "Citizen Scientist" starter kit.
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Logistics: Pick out your campsite and get settled for the activities ahead atthe serene Red Wolf Intentional Community.
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Mandatory Waivers: All participants must have a signed liability waivers on file before engaging in any activities on the property
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Community Potluck Brunch & Opening Orientation
Gather at the main pavilion for a communal meal hosted by the North Texas Mycological Association (NTMA) and the Red Wolf stewards.
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Orientation: A briefing on land ethics, safety protocols for the Grasslands, and a weekend roadmap.
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The Golden Spatula Challenge: The competition is on! Bring your best mycophagy-inspired dish. The "Fan Favorite" winners—voted on by the community—will be awarded a Complimentary NTMA Family Membership for a year.
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
BioBlitz: Caddo National Grasslands Survey
Board the shuttle or join the caravan for a high-impact survey of the Caddo National Grasslands.
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The Mission: In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, we transition from hobbyists to researchers. You will learn to properly record, collect, and voucher specimens using iNaturalist and field data sheets.
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Legacy Science: Significant finds will be sent for DNA sequencing to contribute to the official permanent record of Texas biodiversity.
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Expert Guidance: Small groups will be led by professional mycologists to known "hotspots" of fungal activity.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Intermission, Specimen Processing, & Hydration Break
Return to basecamp to recharge. Refreshment stations featuring electrolyte-infused teas and chilled water will be available to help you beat the East Texas heat. This is also an opportunity to process all of your finds and learn how to identify them from experienced mycologists!
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Culinary Showcase: Emory Market Gardens
Watch the masters at work during a live Farm-to-Table cooking demonstration.
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The Menu: Featuring gourmet Oyster, Lion’s Mane, and Chestnut mushrooms harvested just miles away.
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Education: Learn professional searing techniques and how to pair fungi with seasonal Texas produce for maximum flavor profiles.
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
On-Site Foray: The Hidden Acres
Our second foray explores the private, untouched woods of the Red Wolf property and an exclusive 15-acre adjacent private tract. This land is rarely surveyed, offering a high probability of discovering undocumented species.
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
The Expert Specimen Walkthrough
The "Show and Tell" of a lifetime. Gather as Dr. David Lewis and NTMA President Sebastian Tabibi examine the day's hauls.
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Insights: They will dissect the ecology, identify toxic "look-alikes," and discuss the medicinal potential of our finds.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Twilight Social & The Great Mushroom Cookoff * Live Music
Enjoy the bluegrass and folk-rock stylings of local legends Aunt Pearl’s Biscuits.
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Tasting Event: As the music plays, our culinary team will be operating a multi-station fry-off. Sample crispy, seasoned "steaks" of Lion's Mane and butter-garlic Shiitakes straight from the pan.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Evening Keynote Series
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7:00 PM: Dr. Whitney Tholen presents “The Micro-World: An Introduction to Molds & Yeasts,” exploring the invisible fungi that shape our world.
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8:00 PM: Dr. Christopher Hobbs presents “Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide.” A world-renowned herbalist’s deep dive into the pharmacology and therapeutic history of fungi.
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM+
UV Night Foray & The "Glowing Forest" After-Party * The Night Foray
Equipped with UV flashlights, we head into the woods to find bio-fluorescent fungi and lichens that glow in the dark.
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Visuals & Beats: Return to a transformed camp with a live DJ set by Voxex (Bryce Allen), featuring bonfire-side ambient visuals and immersive soundscapes.
Sunday, May 17 – Cultivation & Connection
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
"Breakfast in the Woods" & Day Two Check-In
A gentle start for Sunday-only guests. Enjoy locally some coffe, tea, and light refreshments under the forest canopy.
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Final Sweep: Caddo Grasslands (New Quadrants)
One final trek into the Grasslands. We will target specific quadrants not covered on Saturday to ensure a comprehensive biodiversity data set for the 2026 survey.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Taxonomy Wrap-Up
A final look at the identification tables. Lead mycologists will summarize the weekend's most significant "Voucher-worthy" finds and finalize the sequencing manifest.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Community Kitchen Luncheon
A collaborative "clean-out-the-cooler" meal. Share stories and contact info with new friends as we fuel up for the afternoon workshops. If you have extra mushrooms or food you’d like to bring along to cook, we have a communal kitchen available to utilize for the weekend!
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Workshop: Hands-On Cultivation Masterclass Led by Angel Giron of Big Tex Urban Farms.
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Skills: Learn the "Low-Tech to High-Tech" spectrum, from the basics of how to get started with mushroom cultivation to indoor hydroponic tent setups.
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Take-Home Project: Construct your own Oyster Mushroom Fruiting Kit to take home and watch grow on your kitchen counter!
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Research Spotlight: Dr. Keith Kisselle "Mycelium: Nature’s Hidden Networks”
A fascinating presentation on soil ecology and how mycorrhizal networks facilitate communication.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Closing Keynote: Dr. David Lewis The "Grandfather of Texas Mycology" delivers a moving address on The Future of Fungal Conservation, reflecting on how citizen science is the key to protecting the Lone Star State's natural heritage.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Farewell & "Leave No Trace" Pack-Out
Final closing remarks and group photo. We honor the land by ensuring we leave it better than we found it. Please assist in a final sweep of the grounds to maintain our commitment to sustainability.