(Click here to watch Tim Farmer's County Kitchen filmed in Irvine at the Mountain Mushroom Festival)

23^rd annual

MOUNTAIN MUSHROOM FESTIVAL

APRIL 27-28, 2013 

Irvine City Hall, 101 Chestnut Street   Irvine, Kentucky 40336

Date:  Saturday, April 27   9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (booths) and 9 p.m. (grandstand entertainment)

           Sunday, April 28     10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Founded:  1991

Location:   Latitude:  37.70026     Longitude:  -83.97518

The festival area is in the downtown area of Irvine, Court St. and Broadway. 

The Bluegrass KY Agate, Gem, Mineral & Rock Show will be held at the Estill County

   School Central Office gym, 253 Main St., Irvine. 

The Kruzerz Car Show will be at the corner of Main St. and Mack St., Irvine. 

The Pancake Breakfast will be at the Masonic Lodge, 221 Broadway & Lily Ave., Irvine.

The Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show will be at the Estill County Fairgrounds, 38

  South Irvine Rd., Irvine. 

 Description:  The Mountain Mushroom Festival is a celebration of the Appalachian culture:  the morel mushroom, Kentucky agate, arts and crafts, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky River, and mountains.  The festival’s mission is to share the cultural heritage and traditions of our community and support area groups (mushroom hunters, agate hunters, local crafters, and artisans) to foster community pride and stimulate economic development.  A local volunteer committee partners with the community to present a variety of activities, provide educational opportunities, and support and promote area groups, artisans, and businesses. The festival provides a weekend of free activities and entertainment for everyone. 

 Activities:  Mushroom theme activities include a morel market, prize money for most mushrooms and largest, educational panels on mushroom hunting, interviews with hunters on the narrative stage, natural habitat terrarium for displaying the native morel, morel/shiitake/oyster cooking demonstrations, mushroom cook-off, window decorating contest, fungus 5K run/walk, parade, poster contest, and sale of festival souvenirs (t-shirts, hats). Agate activities include agate hunts in the creeks of Estill County and a KY Agate, Gem, Mineral, and Rock Show.  The show features KY agates, gems, minerals, fossils, and rock displays, black light display of fluorescent material, and vendors selling everything from agates to rocks to jewelry.  Arts and crafts are promoted through vendor booths, heritage craft demonstrations, quilt trail display, and student art show.  Heritage

activities include a forest display, Kentucky River display, Estill County Historical Society Museum, Fitchburg Furnace display, and flintknapper demonstrations.  Entertainment on the grandstand will include a school jump rope team, school choirs, cloggers, gymnastics, bluegrass, light rock, and country.  Other activities will include a Car Show, Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show, health screenings, food court, games, and inflatables.

Admission to the festival is free.  All events are open to the public and handicapped accessible.  No pets please.

Contact Information:

Telephone:  606 723-1233       Irvine City Hall:  606 723-2554     Fax:  606 723-2558

E-mail:  mushroomfestival@irvineonline.net

Website:  www.mountainmushroomfestival.org

 Address:  Irvine City Hall, 101 Chestnut Street, Irvine, Ky.  40336

 Driving Directions:

From I-75:  Take Exit 90-A (Richmond/Irvine).  Follow Martin Bypass 4 miles to KY 52 east.  Turn left and proceed 17 miles to the City of Irvine

 From Mountain Parkway:  Take Exit 16 (Clay City/Winchester).  Turn onto Hwy 82 and follow until it intersects with Hwy 89.  Turn left.  Remain on Hwy 89 approximately 7 miles to the City of Irvine.