Annual festival features mushroom hunting, auction, beer tasting and more
The organizing committee for the 8th annual Ottawa Midwest Morel Fest, a local festival including morel mushroom hunting, morel market featuring mushroom sales from the hunt and local vendors, music and home brew beer tasting, is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2018 festival to be held Saturday, May 5 at Jordan Block Park (Main St. and Rt. 23/71N) in Ottawa, Ill.
We encourage you all to join the hunt and attend the Morel Market, music and beer tasting. It will be a fun and exciting time to see and join in on the hive of activity that happens throughout the day. If you are not selling mushrooms, then get to the market and pick your mushroom delight!
“Every year we look forward to the Morel Fest & Mash Up kicking off our high event season in Ottawa,” said Mayor Robert Eschbach. “ I can’t think of any better way then home brew beer celebrated with the outdoor fun of hunting mushrooms.”
Are you wondering how you could become a successful hunter? Well Tom Nauman will lead sign ups through a Morel University seminar, a half hour class for novice mushroom hunters. After the seminar participants are bussed to a hunt site and led by a guide as they identify and gather morels.
The Illinois State Championship Hunt, which is at the same time as the guided hunt, will be held at a separate site and will be your opportunity to challenge veterans for great prizes and notoriety.
Craft Beer Competitions are brewing.
The Morel Mash Up Home Brewers Tasting in Ottawa, Ill., sponsored by Tangled Roots Brewing Company returns this year following great interest by both brewers and attendees alike. Local brewers will be offering samples and competing for “Mayor’s Choice”, “People’s Choice” and “Best Brew Overall.” “This event continues to grow immensely, and it’s great to showcase home brews from across the state here in Ottawa,” said Ottawa, Ill. Mayor Robert Eschbach. “We have clubs participating from DeKalb to Decatur.” A number of guest judges, some from out of town, have been selected for this year’s Mash Up. More information on craft brew events can be found at pickusottawail.com
For more information or to purchase register for the Illinois State Championship, please visit our website at PickUsOttawail.com or call the Ottawa Visitors Center at 815-434-2737.
2018 Midwest Morel Fest Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 5th
7:30am – Hunt and Morel Market sign in
8 – 8:30am – Morel University
8am – 4pm – Morel and Vendor Market
8:45am -Busses depart for hunt site
9am – 11:30am- Guided and Championship Hunt
11am – 2pm – Kids morel painting
12pm – 4 pm – Morel Mash Up Home Brewers Tasting
1pm – Championship Awards
Food available all day at the event
Tickets and Information
General admission to the Morel Market: Free
Morel Hunt Fees:
13+ presale $30 until April 1, $35 April 2 to April 27, after April 27 at the door price $50.
12 under presale $15 until April 1, April 2 to April 27, $20 after April 27 at door prices of $35.
Home Brewers Tasting Tent: $5 for 3 tasting tickets. Must be 21 and show valid ID to participate.
For registration and more information, call the Ottawa Visitors Center at 815-434-2737 or visit www.PickUsOttawail.com.
We encourage early registration.
