Athens is known for being in a particular area of southeast Ohio, just on the edge of Appalachia. The city is surrounded by towering trees and lush landscapes. It’s home to natural sanctuaries like Strouds Run State Park and plenty of other nature trails.
If you’re enamored with the variety of natural life outside your door and want to learn more, Appalachian Understories and Tenderfoot Learning Lab are hosting their annual Fall Fungi Festival this October. It’s bound to be an exciting foray into a mycological world right beneath our feet.
What Does Appalachian Understories Do?
Appalachian Understories provides tours around the Appalachian Ohio region. Local tour guides educate groups on the history and nature of the area. They offer the local community ways to get outside and learn about the world around them. Whether that’s through social bike rides around Athens, nature walks outside city limits, or their popular Birds in the Hills Festival, they provide opportunities for people to learn more about the area they call home.
They also encourage private event planning, which allows groups of up to 15 to plan events with the Appalachian Understories team. And with the amount and variety of the already-thought-of options, it’s hard to go wrong.
What Happens at the Fall Fungi Festival?
The Fall Fungi Festival is the place to be for mushroom enthusiasts. Appalachian Understories combines forces with Tenderfoot Learning Lab to create a mycological experience. The Fall Fungi Festival takes place over the course of two days and one night. Participants will enjoy workshops, guided hikes, foraging, and more.
Tenderfoot Learning Lab focuses on agricultural sustainability in Appalachian Ohio. They offer plenty of programs and camping on-site about 8 miles out from Athens. With plenty of land space, Tenderfoot is the perfect setting for the Fall Fungi Festival.
Mushrooms are all around us in forests. But not all are friends. With an experienced guide, you’ll learn more about the various species around you. Workshop topics are varied, including both inoculation and dehydration of mushrooms. Like most festivals, expect to find live music and food options around Tenderfoot Learning Lab’s site. Select artists will also sell nature-inspired work throughout the festival.
The Fall Fungi Festival takes place in October in the heart of Appalachian Ohio. Day passes and camping passes are available to purchase before entry.