Boundary Mushroom Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2026
A Grassroots Celebration of Fungi, Forests & Community Connection
Inviting mushroom enthusiasts, foragers, artists, and environmental advocates to explore the powerful role of fungi in ecosystems, culture, health, and local food systems. This volunteer-led, community-rooted event takes place in the stunning Boundary region and Christina Lake, and positions the area as a growing hub for eco, agro, and cultural tourism. The weekend will offer a dynamic mix of education, art, food, and forest experiences designed to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and connection.
Schedule and Program Details
8:00–9:00 AM • REGISTRATION
8:30 AM–3:30 PM • MUSHROOM MARKET • FREE!
Explore local makers, artists, growers and fungi-loving vendors.
9:00–10:15 AM • OPENING KEYNOTE • Robin Mercy of Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms
Rewilding Our Lives: Learning from Fungi & Forests
Back by popular demand! Mushroom farmer and forager Robin Mercy invites us to look more closely at the fungal world and discover how fungi can deepen our understanding of forests, ecology and our relationship with the living world.
11:00 AM–1:00 PM • CHOOSE YOUR OWN MUSHROOM ADVENTURE
Four guided field trips* • Only 15 participants per group - register early!
Head into the forest with our mushroom experts for small-group learning, identification and discovery.
Robin Mercy • Mystery Mushrooms
Join forager and farmer Robin Mercy for a fun and informative peak into the world of fungi. Robin will prepare you for a morning of mushroom hunting with an interactive discussion of common mushrooms and helpful ID tricks. Bring your mystery mushrooms and your curiosity, and get prepped for a fun fungi-filled day!
Erik Hrabovsky • Mushrooms, MycoWaters, Forests and Lands
Erik retraces our current fungal paths as we direct ourselves towards a healthier, myceliated future. In this talk, Erik will discuss how we can partner with mushrooms to restore ecosystem health, clean our waters, boost crop production, combat fire, and more, all in support of our built relationships.”
Milena Vazquez • Macro Photography + iNaturalist
Learn to photograph fungi while contributing observations to community science.
Candice Cullum • Mushroom Dyeing
Discover the surprising colours hidden inside fungi through mushroom dye demonstrations and workshops.
*Guided Field trips require registration and a festival pass. See information about passes below.
Claire Waterlow • Mushroom ID Tables • FREE!
Bring your curiosity—and your mushrooms! Learn the basics of mushroom identification with our local mycologist
FAMILY & SENIORS NATURE WALK • FREE!
A gentle mushroom discovery walk through the Nature Park, designed for families, seniors and anyone looking for an easier-paced adventure.
Maya Corona • Community Mural • FREE!
Pick up a brush and help create a collaborative mushroom-inspired mural.
Leta Bak • Felted Mural • FREE!
Explore fungi through fibre and contribute to a collaborative felted artwork.
Carol Mitchell • Mushroom Crafts • FREE!
Drop in, get creative and make something wonderfully fungal.
1:00–2:00 PM • MUSHROOM LUNCH
Take a break and refuel! Pony Espresso will be serving smash burgers with a mushroom twist and other festival fare. Food available for purchase.
2:00–3:30 PM • CLOSING KEYNOTE
Erik Hrabovsky • How Fungi Can Save Our Worlds
Journey into the fungi world and discover how fungi can help restore forests, build healthier soils, clean waterways and address pollution.
PLUS • MycoWaters Community Science Report
Discover what we are learning from the Boundary’s MycoWaters project and our growing community science efforts.
6:00–7:30 PM • MUSHROOM AFTER-PARTY • FREE!
Dress in your finest fungal fashion, explore art, dance to live music by Jacob MacMillan, Damian Ablas, and the Boundary Belles, and take in mushroom lantern lighting!
6:30 PM • Kids’ Costume Contest Winners announced
7:00 PM • Adult Costume Contest Winners announced
ONE FESTIVAL, A WHOLE WORLD OF FUNGI!
$40 Early Bird Pass until October 10 • $50 Regular Pass
CHILDREN ATTEND FREE!
Sponsors
Mycowaters 2026
The Boundary Mushroom Festival was proud to offer a special summer program, MycoWaters, bringing our community together for a day of learning, connection, and celebration.
We were honoured to begin the day with a Water Blessing led by local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Diane and Damian Marcoux and the Metis Community. Their teachings reminded us of the importance of honouring the land and water and living in reciprocity with the natural world.
Throughout the day, participants explored the fascinating world of fungi with mycology educator Erik Hrabovsky, learning how mushrooms support healthy forests and watersheds. Many visitors also took home mushroom-growing kits, allowing the learning to continue at home.
These photos capture the curiosity, laughter, and community spirit that made the day so special. They also reflect the Boundary Mushroom Festival Committee's commitment to offering free, accessible programs that bring people together through nature, science, and culture. Thank you to our presenters, volunteers, partners, and everyone who joined us in making this event a success.
Meet the Team
