“JOURNEY TO THE FUNGUS” is this year’s theme for the annual Humongous Fungus Festival. The celebration takes place Saturday with a full day of activities planned. Crystal Falls Business Association president Barbara Luck displays the 2023 Fungus Fest logo designed by Stormie Weems. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Take a “Journey to the Fungus” this weekend in Crystal Falls.

For more than three decades, Crystal Falls has celebrated the world’s largest continuous mushroom by hosting the annual Humongous Fungus Festival.

The giant Armillaria gallica that spreads over more than 37 subterranean acres near Crystal Falls was discovered in 1988. It weighs an estimated 100 tons and is more than 1,500 years old.

“This year’s theme goes along perfectly with the Journey Tribute Band performing that evening at the theater,” said Barbara Luck, president of the Crystal Falls Business Association.

The weekend kicks off with the city-wide rummages sales that takes place today and Saturday.

“There are no maps again this year, but we have asked participants to mark their streets with signs for shoppers,” she said.

The Humongous Fungus Festival Parade will step off at 10 p.m. Saturday down Superior Avenue. Line-up will be in the bus parking lot at Forest Park School.

“Everyone is welcome — no registration is required — just show up,” Luck said. “We are expecting a great turnout.”

Sean Ackles of Grouse Acres will be the guide for the mushroom forage. Two groups will be taken out. The first will check in at 8:30 a.m., with the tour to begin at 9 a.m. The second will have check-in at 12:30 p.m. and depart at 1 p.m.

Ackles will focus on 10 top mushroom varieties. He will educate participants on identification, taste, preparation, how to grow, imposters and more.

“He has a lot of experience,” she said. “They will also be selling mushrooms at the vendors market.”

Luck said weather conditions this week are perfect for mushrooms. “I found several just in my yard,” she said. “You just have to learn.”

Spots for the forage tour are still available, she added.

Harbour House Museum volunteers will be cooking and selling food as a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. including mushroom burgers on the grill.

The museum will also host a Mushroom Cook-Off Contest with judging at 1 p.m. There is no theme for the dishes; however, they must contain mushroom.

“This also gives them a great opportunity for those who have never been in the museum, or since the work that has been done,” Luck said. “It looks really nice.”

Iron County’s 4-H Artemis Archers will give demonstrations and assist children in how to shoot a bow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the museum grounds.

They have also brought back the Vendor Village, in the city parking lot behind the Crystal Theater on Fourth Street. They currently have 37 vendors signed up.

“We have everything from an ice cream truck to all kinds of artwork and, of course, mushrooms and grow kits,” she said.

Spots are still available for those interested in taking part in the craft and vendor show.

Luck said several local restaurants will have some type of mushroom dish on the menu for the festival.

Several local churches and organizations have also planned special events, including pie socials, to coincide with the day’s festivities.

Luck still hopes to bring back the giant mushroom pizza. “I have everything but the people to physically make the pie,” she said. “I was hoping a local group or organization will take it as a fundraiser for them.”

A North Country Cruizers Car Show will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Northern Interstate Bank. The show will feature a wide array of cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and more.

The CFBA will place buckets of chalk throughout the downtown for sidewalk art.

Festgoers are encouraged to get creative and leave a piece of art on the sidewalk. “Everyone has a good time with this,” said Luck.

The Crystal Falls District Community Library will host an outside book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Artwork for the 2023 Fungus Fest logo was done by Stormie Weems. “She has created the design two years in a row for me now,” she said. “These are so colorful and fun.”

T-shirts and sweatshirts can be ordered through American Classic Sign Co. on the website at https://americanclassicsign.co or call 906-221-1424.

The Journey Tribute Band will perform starting at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Theater. Advanced tickets for the event may be purchased online at thecrystaltheatre.org or by phone at 906-875-3208.

To conclude the full day of activities, Jake and the Fireside Band will play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Infield Bar on Superior Avenue.

“You can make a full day of it in here — start with a stop at any one of our great places for coffee or breakfast prior to the parade,” Luck said. “End with a full evening of great entertainment.”

Luck encourages everyone to come check out “Journey to the Fungus” activities. “It will be a lot of fun for the whole family,” she said.