FAIRHOPE — The Gulf Coast Fungi Festival returned to Weeks Bay Plantation this weekend, bringing together mushroom growers, herbalists and nature enthusiasts for a three-day celebration of fungi, wellness and sustainability.

Now in its third year, the festival was founded by Tanner Hammond, known locally as Mushroom Man Tan, and Allen Carroll of Fungi Farm. Hammond, who grows mushrooms for Gulf Coast restaurants, said the idea came after attending similar events in other states.

"We realized we didn't really have anything like that down here," Hammond said. "All these people are interested in mushrooms, but it was just me selling mushrooms at farmers markets. So we knew the people to pull together to put this together, and I can't believe what it is now."

Hammond said the event has evolved beyond its original focus.

"It's definitely mushroom-forward," he said, "but it's shifting really into a wellness and eco-sustainability kind of communal event."

The festival featured educational talks, guided forays and workshops on topics ranging from medicinal and culinary mushrooms to native plants and herbal remedies. Families enjoyed camping under the pines, guided nature walks to identify local fungi, drum circles in the evening and different genres of live music. Children under 12 attended free, with kid-friendly activities including book readings and trick-or-treating with festival vendors.

Herbalist Melissa Nichols, who runs Cedar and Moon Apothecary, led a presentation called "Rooted Remedies," focusing on using local plants for healing. Nichols emphasized the connection between humans and the natural world.

"I specialize in bioregional plant medicine," Nichols said. "My focus is rooted largely in sustainability and community wellness, tending to the land."

She also highlighted the importance of understanding and working with plants that grow around us.

"There are so many wild foods that are often overlooked for their beautiful healing properties or for their food," she said. "My hope is always to help people reconnect with that, because we are all part of the environment and the plants have an affinity for us."

The festival, held Oct. 17-19, included a free Vendor Village showcasing local crafts, mushroom products, art and wellness goods. Attendees could also participate in workshops, guided plant and mushroom forays and interactive sessions on herbalism, culinary mushrooms and holistic living.

"Knowledge empowers people to move differently in life," Nichols said. "That's what we try to do with the plants."

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.