FUNGI, SPORE, AND FERMENTATION FEST
FUNGI, SPORE, AND FERMENTATION FEST
OCTOBER 25, 2025
9am-12pm
Howe Meadow
4040 Riverview Rd. Peninsula, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market is thrilled to present our inaugural Fungi, Spore & Fermentation Fest – a spore-tacular celebration to cap off our final Howe Meadow market of the summer season before we head inside for the Winter Market at Old Trail School.
Building on the success of our beloved Annual Tomato Tasting Festival, this unique event will dive deep into the fascinating world of fungi, fermentation, and all things deliciously decomposed. Join us October 25th for a day of discovery, flavor, and fun as we explore the magic of mushrooms and the art of fermentation.
What to Expect
Free to the public and family-friendly, our festival features:
- Interactive vendor demonstrations showcasing fermentation techniques and fungal cultivation
- Sampling stations featuring locally-made fermented foods, mushroom varieties, and artisanal products
- Live music and activities for all ages
- Costume contest – Come dressed as your favorite fungi or spore! With Halloween just around the corner, show off your creative side and compete for Best in Show
Schedule of Events
All vendor demonstrations will take place under our main festival tent near the back of the market at the following times:
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM · Bigfoot Mushrooms — Fungi Talk + Q&A
- 9:30 – 10:00 AM · Happy Pickler — Fermented Carrots Demo + Q&A
- 10:00 – 10:30 AM · Mushroom Costume Parade
- 10:30 – 11:00 AM · Jeremy Umansky — Talk on Fermentation & Foraging + Q&A
- 11:00 – 11:30 AM · Costume Winner Announced
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM · Ash Creek Farm & Bread — Sourdough Loaf Demo (featuring local flour from Mud Run Farm) + Q&A
Special Guest: Jeremy Umansky
We will welcome a very special guest, Jeremy Umansky, who will be joining us to share his knowledge and give a free talk to the market community. Topic details TBD.
Jeremy Umansky is the James Beard Award-nominated chef and co-owner of Larder Delicatessen & Bakery in Cleveland’s Hingetown. Mycologist and co-author of “Koji Alchemy”, the definitive guide to koji fermentation. At Larder, he incorporates koji into virtually every dish, pioneering the use of filamentous molds and wild harvest fungi in modern cuisine. As a leading expert in applied fermentation and zymology, he champions Northeast Ohio’s wild food ecosystem through innovative fermentation techniques and sustainable foraging practices.
A Seasonal Celebration
As we wrap up our summer season at Howe Meadow, join us in celebrating the connections we’ve built. This festival also marks our transition to our winter home at Old Trail School, where we’ll continue throughout the colder months.
Join us October 25th for our Fungi, Spore & Fermentation Fest. Whether you’re experienced with fermentation, curious about food, or looking for a fun family outing, come explore with us.
Free admission. Costumes welcome.
Gallery photos below are courtesy of the Telluride Mushroom Festival and Jeremy Umansky.
