May I Have Some More-l, Please?

Looking for a fun and tasty event that will get you right into the Northern Michigan spirit? Well, just like young Oliver Twist, you’ll be begging for more tastes when you attend the 64th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City this spring!

Nestled on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, this quintessential small town hosts an outdoor tradition like no other. The weekend after Mother’s Day, venture all around Boyne City to experience a long weekend of events and activities for all ages, all focused on local food, talent, and fun. Read on so you can plan your morel mushroom adventure accordingly!

Note: Many events are free and open to the public, but most of the featured events have an admission fee. All festival proceeds go to area high school students for college scholarships in the fields of Biology, Natural Science, Hospitality, or Culinary Arts.

MOREL SEMINAR
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 3:30 – 4:30 PM

If you’re new to the world of morels and mushroom hunting, consider attending the Morel Seminar, presented by Tony Williams, five-time winner of the National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt. Tony will share some pro hunting tips and tricks to familiarize you with the ins and outs of tracking down delicious morels. This seminar is perfectly timed to prepare you for the Saturday morning annual hunt, where you’ll take to the woods in search of one of nature’s most elusive treasures.

NATIONAL COMPETITIVE MOREL MUSHROOM HUNT
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 9 – 11 AM (REGISTRATION: 8 – 9 AM)

Michiganders love a good competition, especially when it comes to nature and food, so the National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt, sponsored by Boyne City Kiwanis, is a popular component of the annual festival. Do you know how to spot a morel in the wild?

Some people have a sixth sense, a keen eye, or a sniffer like a truffle pig for morels, but here are a few things to look for if you accept the challenge of the hunt: morels have a spongy, honeycomb-esque cap that is fully attached to a stem, with an interior that is hollow and also spongy. Unfortunately, fake morels exist and are usually in proximity to legit morels. If you find a mushroom with a lumpy, wrinkled brain-like cap, this is likely a fake morel. If you’re unsure about the nature or safety of a mushroom, always ask before consuming.

This exciting hunt sets out from Boyne City High School at 1305 Boyne Avenue.

TASTE OF MORELS
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 12 – 3 PM

The festival’s premiere event is Taste of Morels, where Northern Michigan’s finest eateries celebrate the unique fungi. Under a heated tent – because spring in the north can be unpredictable – come experience the delicacy of the morel mushroom as the festival strives to build Boyne City’s reputation as America’s destination for morel dining.

Currently, the Taste of Morels is the largest concentration of morel cooking in the world! Local and regional restaurants and chefs will put their best recipes out for attendees to sample. At the same time, a panel of yet-to-be-disclosed celebrity judges will determine the top three winning dishes. Morels have a unique savory and “meaty” flavor, so come ready for appetizing tastes, and may your favorite dish take home the top spot!

SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 7 – 11 PM

Rounding out Saturday’s hunting and tasting is the Motherload Bash, presented by Boyne City Hardware and Boyne Mountain Resort. Individuals 21 and up are welcome to rock out to country rockers Family Tradition Band, a Michigan-based duo named “Best Country Band” by Review Magazine for three years running. Family Tradition Band has opened for Scotty McCreary, Uncle Kracker, Nelly, and countless other musicians and bands. You’re guaranteed a good time at this live performance in Veterans Memorial Park.

Aside from these headliner events of the Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival, all weekend-long visitors can check out the Arts & Crafts Show and the Schmidt Amusements Carnival, both set up in Veterans Memorial Park and free of charge. Additional live performances, tasting events, art activities, and a farmers market also take place over the festival weekend.

For a complete schedule of events for the 64th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival, visit bcmorelfestival.com.