Morel mushrooms are a wonderfully delicious morsel that are sought by many outdoor enthusiasts and women do just as well as men, maybe better. To join in on this hunt for culinary delight, even take a class from “mushroom university.” There is still time to sign-up for both Morel University and the Championship. Phone the Ottawa, Illinois Visitors Center at 815-434-2737. Festivities start with Morel University on Friday afternoon. Check-in from 3 pm. to 4 pm. The classroom discussion from 4 to 4:30 at Obee’s Sub Shoppe. Then it’s into the woods with our professors. You will learn habitat, trees, techniques, and identification. Obee’s will have a $5 sandwich pack available – sandwich, chips & drink. Rat & Sis’s Morel Museum is displayed indoors at Jeremiah Joe’s all weekend.
On Saturday, competitors for the Illinois State Championship start checking in at 7 am. Buses will depart at 9 am. and will return around noon. Mushrooms for the auction also start arriving at 7 am. I’ve been assured that there will be ample morels to bid on. The auction begins at 1 pm. For full details and a brochure click the link below:
http://www.experienceottawa.com/documents/2013MorelPamphlet_001.pdf
