🌿🍄 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 (near Bonham, TX), from May 16th to 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! View Presenters
🌲 Guided Forays with Knowledgeable Foray Leaders
🌱 Mushroom Cultivation Workshop & Build Your Own Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
👨🍳 Mushroom Cooking Demonstrations by Emory Market Gardens & NTMA
🎶 Live Music, Entertainment, & Camping
...plus so much more!
Special Collections & DNA Sequencing Program
We are proud to launch a groundbreaking initiative — a Fungal Biodiversity Survey of this ecologically rich and heavily wooded part of North Texas. This area 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!
https://www.northtexasmycology.org/joinntma
Come be part of this incredible celebration of fungi, science, and community. We can’t wait to see you at MushFest 2026!🍄✨
View all Event Details
MushFest 2026 Refund & Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change. To ensure we can accurately manage our logistics, site prep, and culinary supplies, we have established the following refund policy for MushFest 2026:
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Full Refunds: Attendees are eligible for a full refund (minus any applicable third-party processing fees) up to 14 days prior to the event start date.
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Deadline: All refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than May 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
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Late Requests: After the 14-day window has passed (starting May 3, 2026), we are unable to offer refunds. At this stage, funds are fully committed to event overhead, expert speaker travel, and food procurement.
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Ticket Transfers: If you miss the refund deadline, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to another person. Please notify us of the name change so we can update our registration logs and waivers.
How to Request a Refund: Please email your request and order information to contact@northtexasmycology.org.
Event Contingency Clause
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Weather: MushFest is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. However, in the case of forecasted severe or dangerous weather, the North Texas Mycological Association (NTMA) reserves the right to postpone the event.
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Postponement: If the event is postponed, your ticket will remain valid for the rescheduled date. If you are unable to attend the new date, refund options will be provided at that time.
Local Lodging:
If you prefer not to camp, the closest hotels are in Bonham, less than 20 minutes drive from the venue.
America's Best Value Inn Bonham is typically the most budget-friendly option.
Holiday Inn Express and The Bonham Hotel are also excellent nearby choices.
View Bonham Hotel Options Here
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
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Multiple Presentations from Top Experts in Mycology!
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Guided Forays with Experienced Foray Leaders
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Mushroom Cultivation Workshop & Build Your Own Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
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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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MushFest 2026 Refund & Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change. To ensure we can accurately manage our logistics, site prep, and culinary supplies, we have established the following refund policy for MushFest 2026:
-
Full Refunds: Attendees are eligible for a full refund (minus any applicable third-party processing fees) up to 14 days prior to the event start date.
-
Deadline: All refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than May 2, 2026.
-
Late Requests: After the 14-day window has passed (starting May 3, 2026), we are unable to offer refunds. At this stage, funds are fully committed to event overhead, expert speaker travel, and food procurement.
-
Ticket Transfers: If you miss the refund deadline, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to another person. Please notify us of the name change so we can update our registration logs and waivers.
How to Request a Refund: Please email contact@northtexasmycology.org with your refund request and order information.
Event Contingency Clause
-
Weather: MushFest is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. However, in the case of forecasted severe or dangerous weather, the North Texas Mycological Association (NTMA) reserves the right to postpone the event.
-
Postponement: If the event is postponed, your ticket will remain valid for the rescheduled date. If you are unable to attend the new date, refund options will be provided at that time.
SPONSORED BY:
PRESENTERS:
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 16 – A Day of Discovery & Citizen Science
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Arrival, Basecamp Setup & Check-In
Kick off your MushFest experience at the Welcome Station. Upon arrival, receive your festival badge 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 – 1:30 PM
Morning Foray
Board the shuttle or join the caravan for a morning foray to explore some of North Texas' most pristine areas with some of the most knowledgeable members of the mycological community!
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The Mission: Explore some of the region's most biodiverse areas! You will learn edibility as well as how 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.
1:30 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, Shiitake and Enoki 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: Research Spotlight: Dr. Keith Kisselle "Mycelium: Nature’s Hidden Networks”
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A fascinating presentation on soil ecology and how mycorrhizal networks facilitate communication.
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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 some coffe, tea, and light refreshments under the forest canopy.
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Morning Foray Departs
One final trek into the field. 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
North Texas Mycological Association Cooking Demonstration with Mushrooms from Big Tex Urban Farms!
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
Presentation: Dr. Whitney Tholen presents “The Micro-World: An Introduction to Molds & Yeasts,” exploring the invisible fungi that shape our world.
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.