WILLITS – Every fall in northern California’s Mendocino County, something magical happens when it rains – delicious, delectable mushrooms appear.

From October through January, more than 3,000 mushroom varieties will appear. Of these, 500 are edible – including the rare candy cap mushroom with its unmistakable maple-syrup flavor that grows only along the northern coast of California.

The highlight of mushroom season is Mendocino County’s annual Mushroom Festival (this year from Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 15), with everything from mushroom dinners, wine and beer pairing workshops, and musical performances to exhibits, guided mushroom foraging walks and much more.

This year’s festival has been named by O, The Oprah Magazine, as one of the country’s top six food festivals.

The Frank R. Howard Foundation’s Wine and Mushroom Train is serving as the headline event for the festival.

Tickets are $125 and are all inclusive. Proceeds will go toward the construction of the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Campus which is on pace to be the first rural green or LEED certified hospital in the United States.

The iconic Skunk Train is scheduled to leave the Willits depot at 10 a.m. and will arrive at Camp Mendocino where guests will be treated to lunch, music, a silent auction and wine tasting from America’s Greenest Wine Region, Mendocino County.

In addition to the opportunity to spend the afternoon in the ancient redwoods, mushroom expert Eric Schramm will be on hand to provide an overview of the history and benefits of mushrooms.

Jack Czarnecki, nationally-renowned chef and author will be featured, providing a complete mushroom overview for all attendees. Czarnecki has captured the attention of foodies by featuring in multiple mediums

He has been featured on television (Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, and various others), in newspapers (USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, etc.) and magazines, (Bon Appetit, Vogue, Gourmet and more) and has hosted his own radio show. Jack Czarnecki has authored three cookbooks in publication and regularly contributes articles to various food magazines.

To purchase your ticket or for more information please visit www.howardfoundation.org or call 707 459-2777.

For complete festival details visit www.gomendo.com .