Simply Music, Simply Mushrooms Music Festival
Every autumn all roads flowing into Brown County, Indiana are bumper to bumper with folks coming from all around to take in the breathtaking vistas.
However, there is one more thing that Brown County is known for: morel mushrooms.
Those in the know are familiar with the winding back roads that provide access to hidden valleys: hills and hollers loaded with spring’s bounty. And, for the last two years a group of dedicated individuals have joined all these features into one incredible weekend, three days of beautiful spring views, great music, and all sorts of mycological fun! This year April 23rd-25th will mark the 3rd annual Simply Music, Simply Mushroom Morel Festival. The event has seen explosive growth in its first two years and is ready to take things to a whole new level.
The family-friendly weekend events include instructional lectures for all skill levels, along with guided hunts for kids and adults, vendors selling their wares, many food options, and lots of music in the campground’s impressive open-air amphitheater. With 16 bands on the roster there will be no shortage of entertainment as groups such as The Possum Posse, Chicago Farmer, and The White Lightning Boys take the stage. However, entertainment isn’t confined to the stage as nearly every campfire has pickers picking and storytellers spinning yarns long after the main performances end.
The weekend culminates with a championship morel hunt where you can test your skills against other hardcore hunters while vying for the generous prize package. If you think you have what it takes to become the next state ‘shrooming champ, sign up to participate at a top secret area reserved for the competition.
This event was the brainchild of longtime musician and Brown County native Neil Cox. A student of local Brown County mushroom hunting legend Bird Snider, Cox was a local celebrity in his own right. “It was always Neil’s idea to put on some kind of morel event“, volunteer Ryan Reichert says. “After he (Cox) passed away, Randy (LaVere) was the one to step up and bring it to fruition. I was honored when he asked me for advice and help.”
“The most rewarding part of the festival is seeing all the families come out to the event, making it part of their yearly vacation now”, says event organizer LaVere. “The youth guided hunt, guided by Bird Snider and Ryan Reichert, is the highlight to me. We have all the kids get up on the main stage to show off their finds.”
WildIndiana will have a booth at the festival; you can check WildIndiana.com for updates. For a complete list of activities, directions to the park and prices, go to http://morelfestival.com