Ingeborg Woodsworth, owner of Mayo Creek Gardens, is passionate about fungus. For the last 13 years she has headed up the upcoming Lake Cowichan Salmon and Mushroom Festival, set to take place on Sept. 29 and 30, at Centennial Hall.
Woodsworth has been busy cooking her famous recipes and making last minute preparations for the festival, including coordinating with Bob Crandall, president of the Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society and local First Nations groups who will be supplying platters of smoked salmon and lox.
Day one of the festival will be opened by Chief Cyril Livingstone at 10 a.m. Throughout the day, visitors will be given the opportunity to sample salmon and mushroom recipes, browse the wares of the many vendors that will be present, and even bring in found mushrooms for Woodsworth and Dave Tamblin to identify.
There will also be educational slide shows and a cooking demonstration by the Cowichan Valley’s very own Zac Zorisky, the results of which will provide a tasty appetizer for the first 100 guests.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will on hand offering information and hand-outs with information about local salmon stock, their life cycle, and how to ensure their survival.
Crandall will also bring along the Salmonid Enhancement’s watershed display.
“This very worthy society in our community has been [part of] festival activities since its beginning in October 1999, which took place outdoors at Saywell Park in Lake Cowichan,” said Woodsworth.
The Wild Salmon of B.C. Society will be also providing information in the form of leaflets, salmon cookbooks, and a televised program for visitors to view.
“This is the first year that we have these wonderful volunteers with us and we look forward to education young and old about salmon and mushrooms in the Cowichan Valley,” said Woodsworth.
Starting at 12 p.m. on day two, visitors will be able to take part in mushroom hunting tours with Woodsworth, Tamblin, and Josh Hornbower. The tour with Woodsworth will be a shorter hike, designed for those with small children, the elderly, or those who simply aren’t as mobile. She will be giving basic instruction on edible mushrooms found by those participating in the group.
Hornbower will be taking a group along the Cowichan River and will be helping them search for chanterelles.
“Tamblin will be helping his group identify any fungi his group comes across. Each year we have over 100 people for these trips into our local woods,” said Woodsworth.
Each adult at the festival will have their name entered into a draw for a two person mushroom workshop with Woodsworth valued at $70. Woodsworth will also have her Festival Mushroom Recipes cook book for sale.
Festival tickets are only $2 for adults, and kids are free. Woodsworth says she tries to keep it affordable so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the many activities planned.
For more information visit mayocreekgardens.ca.
