BELLINGHAM/EVERETT – The annual mushroom shows presented by local organizations are coming up this month, offering visitors the chance to have their questions answered, mushrooms identified, and learn about the hundreds of species that grow here.

One of the many mushroom displays at a past Northwest Mushroomers Association show. PHOTO BY RICHARD STICKEL

At the annual Wild Mushroom Show presented by the Snohomish County Mycological Society (SCMS). PHOTO BY BILL PIERCE

The 29th Annual Wild Mushroom Show, presented by the Northwest Mushroomers Association, will be Sunday, Oct. 21 at Bloedel Donovan Park in Bellingham from noon to 5 p.m. Nearly 300 varieties of mushrooms growing in our area will be on display, identified to genus and species, and with edibility recommendations. Learn how to tell species apart, focus on look-alikes, and see information on some mushrooms’ medicinal properties. Children’s activities and mushroom identification also available. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, children free. Visit www.northwestmushroomers.org.

The Snohomish County Mycological Society Mushroom Show, sponsored by the Snohomish County Mycological Society in cooperation with Everett Parks & Recreation, will be Sunday, Oct. 28. Mushrooms are collected in season and placed on display. The public is welcome to bring their own discoveries for possible identification by an expert. Learn to identify more than 100 different types of mushrooms. Visit with vendors, attend lectures and watch demonstrations. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Floral Hall at Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett. For more information, visit www.scmsfungi.org.