Get your hunt on at the Midwest Morel Fest 2018
As any morel enthusiast knows – ‘tis the season to be jolly, not for sleigh bells and singing in the snow, but for morel hunting in the sweet spring air of the Midwest. The melting away of the snow and the return of spring creates the perfect conditions for recently activated Mycelium spores to grow and bear fruit – otherwise known as the morel. Morel is the word used to refer to any mushroom species within the Morchella genus, which, owing to its rarity and popularity amongst chefs and foodies, is regarded as the fantastic, smoky, earthy, indescribable…even mystical mushroom.
A taste that’s earthy, but out of this world
Tom Nauman, self-confessed Morel maniac of Morel Mania, says that “the flavor of the morel mushroom is an ongoing debate amongst mushroom hunters”. The flavor of morels is somewhere between nutty, meaty and earthy, but, as Nauman says “Whatever it is, it keeps people coming back [to the Fest] every year.”
And anyone who’s had the privilege of tasting one of these fungi delicacies will agree – the trance-like glaze that comes over the eyes is not for any mind-altering substance (no, they are not magic mushrooms), but is attributable only to the blissful, some would say orchestral, culinary celebration that takes place in your mouth when they are prepared correctly.
Join us on the Jordan Block of Ottawa IL, May 5th. Ottawa is in the heart of breathtaking Starved Rock Country, the hidden vacation jewel of the Midwest. And we have to make the point here, that there is a certain poetic subtlety in the fact that the hunt for these hidden and most prized Morchella are found in the hidden, beautiful and charming small town of Ottawa IL.
Thanks to the Ottawa Visitors Center (OVC), the Morel Fest has, well, you could say…mushroomed since it was revived in the area in 2007 (previously held in Magnolia). The Executive Director of the OVC, Curt Bedei, celebrates the 2018 Morel Fest by pointing to the ideal suitability of Ottawa and the Morel Fest. “The botanical, outdoor brand of the city suits the Fest…and, being a family affair with intergenerational appeal, we get many return participants coming to the city year after year.”
The momentous event now boasts:
The Morel Fest kicks off what Ottawa IL locals call their high season for events. For more on forthcoming Ottawa IL events, visit www.pickusottawail.com.
Nauman, ever passionate about his craft (being a descendant of a lineage of morel hunters), has begun the Morel University, which focuses on teaching people about morels and passing on the ancient art of finding them. The spring season in the Midwest provides the window for morel hunting, and many avid hobbyists have converted their passion into a revenue generator.
Speaking of secrets, Ottawa IL is the home of Heritage Harbor, the Midwest’s increasingly favorite marina resort and development that has been attracting the attention of many who are seeking a retreat from the bustle, but in a way that enables them to spend quality time with loved ones, soak in the scenic views of Starved Rock Country, and to do it on or near the beautiful Illinois Waterway.
Heritage Harbors – Harbor Inn offers Morel Festers the opportunity to explore Ottawa through its Cottage Rentals offering, which is sure to give you an honest-to-goodness experience of the charming small town – just like a local. You will meet people who know how to give you a truly energizing, authentic and rewarding stay.
Jump on over to Midwest Living to find some of the most celebrated morel recipes (like the Spring Pasta Morels, Ramps and Peas) that have become part and parcel of the life of Midwesterners since morel mushrooms were first discovered in the area.
Happy hunting! See you in May 2018, 2019, 2020 and beyond!
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | WEB SITE | |
MUSEUMS/HISTORIC HOMES/MEMORIALS | ||||
The Westclox Museum | 320 5th St, Peru IL 61354 | Peru | westcloxmuseum.com | |
LaSalle County Historical Society | 101 E Canal St, Utica | Utica | lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org | |
Reddick Mansion | 100 W Lafayette St, Ottawa | Ottawa | reddickmansion.org | |
Hegeler Carus Mansion | 1307 7th St, LaSalle | LaSalle | heglercarus,org | |
Weber House & Garden | 1503 Baker St, Streator | Streator | weberhouseandgarden.com | |
Streator City Park Memorials | E Hickory & N Park St, Streator | Streator | ||
Streatorland Historical Society Museum | 306 Vermillion St, Streator | Streator | ||
WWII Canteen Museum | N Illinois St, Streator | Streator | ||
Memorial Park | Jordan & Woodland, Oglesby | Oglesby | ||
Illinois LST Memorial | Crotty Park, Seneca | Seneca | ||
Veterans Park | Mendota | |||
Father Marquette Memorial | 303 Division St, Utica | Utica | ||
Wild Bill HickokState Memorial | Main St, Troy Grove | Troy Grove | ||
Middle Eastern Conflict War Memorial | Riverside Plaza, Marseilles | Marseilles | ||
Ottawa Historical Scouting Heritage Museum | 1100 Canal St | Ottawa | ||
Earlville Community Historical Society Museum | 136 S Ottawa St | Earlville | www.earlvillehistory.org | |
Union Depot Railroad Museum | 783 Main St | Mendota | www.mendotamuseums.org | |
Breaking the Prairie Farm Museum | 684 8th St | Mendota | www.mendotamuseums.org | |
Hume-Carnegie Museum | 901 Washington St | Mendota | www.mendotamuseums.org | |
Norsk Museum | 3656 E 2631st St | Sheridan | www.norskmuseum.org | |
Senaca Area Heritage Museum | 431 N Main St | Seneca | www.senecahistory.com | |
LaSalle County Genealogy Guild | 115 W Glover St | Ottawa | ||
LANDMARKS & VISITORS CENTER | ||||
I&M Tollhouse & Replica Canal Boat | 1221 Columbus St | Ottawa | ||
Illinois Waterway Visitors Center | 950 N 27th Road | Ottawa | ||
Washington Square Park | Ottawa | www.pickusottawail.com | ||
Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center | 2678 E 873rd Rd | Oglesby | www.starvedrockstatepark.org | |
M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator | 124 W Williams | Senaca | ||
I&M Canal Boat | 754 1st St | LaSalle | ||
Lock 16 Visitor Center | 754 1st St | LaSalle | ||
Hossack House | ||||
Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway | 631 W Marquette St | Ottawa | www.illinoisriverroad.org/geocaching |
RESTAURANTS | ||||
Uptown Grill | 601 1st St, LaSalle | LaSalle | 815-224-4545 | uptowngrill.com |
The Gunsmoke Grill | 249 E ILRte 71, Cedar Point | Cedar Point | 815-446-4017 | thegunsmokegrill.com |
The Red Dog Grill | Ottawa | |||
Halftime | Ottawa | |||
The Lone Buffalo | 808 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-324-9549 | |
A’lure Aquarium Bar/Restaurant | Ottawa | |||
Corner 230 | Ottawa | |||
The Pink Chihuahua | Ottawa | |||
B.A.S.H Burger & Sushi House | 214 W Jefferson | Ottawa | 815-434-2274 | |
BIACHIS | Ottawa | |||
Roxie’s Swseet Confections | 723 S Clark St | Utica | 815-343-8317 | |
Triple J Ice Cream | 101 E Canal Ave | Ottawa | 815-434-8888 | |
Mr Salsas | 309 E Walnut St | Oglesby | 815-883-9299 | |
Woody’s Steak House | 1321 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-433-2400 | |
The Igloo | 2819 4th St | Peru | 815-223-0848 | |
Cindy’s | 1300 Raymond Dr | Mendota | 815-539-9000 | |
Lock 16 Visitor Center Cafe | 754 First St | LaSalle | 815-220-1848 | |
Social Kitchen | 541 First St | LaSalle | 815-252-2655 | |
Marseilles Family Restraurant | Marseilles | 815-795-3111 | ||
Harper’s Hideaway | 623 W River Dr | Seneca | 815-357-6214 | |
The Prime Quarter Steakhouse | 250 Backbone Rd East | Princeton | 815-872-3500 | www.primequarter.com |
Haze Smokehouse | 159 Bucklin St | LaSalle | 815-780-8374 | |
Duffy’s Tavern | 101 Mill St. | Utica | 815-667-4324 |
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | WEB SITE | |
FESTIVALS | ||||
Chris Kringle Market | December, Washington Park, Ottawa | Ottawa | ||
Seneca Shipyard Days | June | Seneca | ||
Midwest Morel Fest | May | |||
Streator Fest, City Park | May | Streator | ||
Two Rivers Wine fest | June | Ottawa | ||
Celebrate LaSalle | June | LaSalle | ||
Pluto Fest | July | Streator | ||
Streator’s 4th America’s Best Summer Fun Fest | July | Streator | ||
Marseilles Fun Fest | July | Marseilles | ||
Summerfest Boogie, Skydive Chicago | July | Ottawa | ||
Ottawa’s Riverfest | August | Ottawa | ||
Sweet Corn Festival | August | Mendota | ||
Maud Powell Arts Celebration | August | Peru | ||
LaSalle Jazz in the Street Music Festival | September | LaSalle | ||
Marseilles Renaissance Faire | September | Marseilles | ||
Scarecrow Festival | September | Ottawa | ||
Vintage Illinos Wine Festival | September, Matthiessen State Park | Oglesby | ||
Burgoo Festival & Car Show | October | Utica | ||
Harvest Fest | October | Oglesby | ||
Arts on the Prairie | Streator | |||
Winter Wine Walk | February | Utica | ||
Pipe Dreams Pipe Organ Music Festival | February | Streator | ||
WINERY/BREWERY/DISTILLERY | ||||
Tangled Roots Brewing Co | 808 LaSalle St, Ottawa | Ottawa | tangledrootsbrewingco.com | |
August Hill Winery | 106 Mill St, Utica | Utica | augusthillwinery.com | |
Clarks Creek Run | 143 Mill St, Utica | Utica | clarksruncreek.com | |
Kindred Spirits Distillery | 2958 IL Rte 178, North Utica | North Utica | kindredspiritsdistilleryil.com | |
Star Union Spirits | 300 5th St, Peru | Peru | ||
Illinois River Winery | 723 S Clark St, North Utica | North Utica | illinoisriverwinery.com | |
Cattails Wine & Craft Beer Tasting | 2949 State Rte 178, Utica | Utica | starvedrockmarketplace.com | |
FARMERS MARKETS | ||||
Old Town Farmers Market | Downtown Ottawa | Ottawa | ||
LaSalle Farmers Market | Hegeler Park, LaSalle | LaSalle | ||
Streator Farmers Market | Streator City Park | Streator | ||
Mendota Farmers Market | Main St, Mendota | Mendota | ||
Oglesby Farmers Market | Walnut St, Downtown Oglesby | Oglesby |
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | PHONE | WEB SITE |
STATE PARKS/ HERITAGE AREAS/PARKS | ||||
Starved Rock State Park | 2678 E 873rd Rd | Ogelsby | 815-667-4726 | www.starvedrockstatepark.org |
Matthiessen State Park | 2500 Rte 178, Oglesby | Ogelsby | 815-667-4726 | |
Buffalo Rock State Park | 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa | Ottawa | 815-433-2220 | |
Illini State Park | 2660 2350th Rd, Marselles | Marseilles | 815-795-2448 | |
I&M Canal State Trail Lock #14 | Rte 351/ Joliet St, LaSalle | LaSalle | ||
I&M Canal State Trail Lock #16 | 754 First St, LaSalle | LaSalle | 815-220-1848 | |
Allen Park | 400 Courtney St, Ottawa | Ottawa | ||
Baker Lake | 2700 Airport Rd, Peru | Peru | ||
Catlin Park | 2650 E 1251st Rd, Ottawa | Ottwa | ||
Dayton Bluffs | 2997 Rte 71, Ottawa | Ottawa | ||
Hopalong Cassidy River Trail | W Main St, Rte 18, Streator | Steator | ||
Lake Kakusha | Rte 251, Mendota | Menota | ||
Marilla Park | Marilla Park Rd, Streator | Streator | ||
McPhedran Park | Oakwood Ave, Oglesby | Oglsby | ||
Mitchell’s Grove Nature Preserve | East 5th Rd, LaSalle | LaSalle | ||
Riverwalk & Fox River Park | 1025 Ontario St, Ottawa | Ottawa | ||
Sandy Ford Natural Area | 1339 N 18th Rd, Streator | Streaor | ||
Shabbona Country Park | 4178 Co Hwy 22, Earlvile | Earlvle | ||
Snyder’s Grove | East 4th Rd, Mendota | Mendota | ||
Spring Lake Nature Area | 1413 E 16th Rd, Streastor | Streator | ||
I&M Canal State Trail | Seneca | |||
GOLF COURSES | ||||
Anderson Field | 1901 N Bloomington St, Streator | Streator | 815-672-3702 | |
Earlville Country Club | 400 Oak St, Earlville | Earlville | 815-246-9329 | |
Dayton Ridge Golf Club | 3076 E 18th Rd, Ottawa | Ottawa | 815-434-0145 | |
Pine Hills Golf Club | 1665 N 2501st St, Ottawa | Ottawa | 815-434-3985 | |
Prairie Lakes Country Club & Inn | 2550 N 32nd Rd, Marsellies | Marsellies | 815-795-5107 | prairielakescc.com |
South Bluff Golf Course | 229 N 2550th Rd, Peru | Peru | 815-223-0603 | |
Twin Creeks-Eastwood | 2000 Eastwood Ave, Streator | Streator | 815-673-5553 | |
The Bourne | 2359 N 35th Rd, Marseilles | Marseilles | 815-496-2301 | |
Mendota Golf Club | 35666 US Hwy 34, Mendota | Mendota | 815-538-7241 | |
Senica’s Deer Park Golf Club | 100 Deer Park Ln, Oglesby | Oglesby | 815-667-4239 | |
Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club | 658 US 6, LaSalle | LaSalle | 815-223-7273 | senicaoakridge.net |
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | PHONE | WEB SITE |
Quest Watersports | 1851 Old Chicago Rd | Ottawa | 815-433-2200 | www.questsports.com |
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | PHONE | WEB SITE |
COFFEE SHOPS | ||||
The Bean Box Express | LaSalle | |||
Deja Brew Coffee | Peru Mall | Peru | ||
Dunkin Donuts | Ottawa | |||
Dunkin Donuts | Peru | |||
Jeremiah Joe Coffee | Ottawa | |||
Lock 16 Café | LaSalle | |||
Starbucks | Peru | |||
Famous Coffee Roasters | www.pickusottawail.com/attractions/famous-coffee-roasters/ | |||
Jeremiah Joe | 807 LaSalle St | Ottawa | www.jeremiahjoecoffee.com | |
SHOPPING | ||||
Peru Mall | 3940 Rte 251, Peru | Peru | 815-223-7600 | perumall.com |
Rock Paper Scissors | 712 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-433-4233 | |
Paper Fox Books | 722 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-433-7323 | |
déjà vu | 716 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-434-2836 | |
Norway Store & Restraurant | 3654 N 71 | Sheridan | 815-496-2669 | |
Grant Street Grocery | 402 W Grant St | Streator | 815-672-2167 | |
Canal Cargo Market | 737 First St | LaSalle | 815-545-6656 | |
Clarks Run Antiques | 215 N Division St | Utica | 815-667-7190 | www.clarksrunantiques.com |
Starved Rock Lodge Gift Shop | 2668 E 875th Rd | Oglesby | 815-667-4211 | www.starvedrocklodge.com |
Stonehead- Motorcycle Leather | 627 Clark St | Utica | 815-667-3040 | www.stoneheadleather.com |
The Beaute Bar | 807 LaSale St | Ottawa | 815-434-4616 | |
Apple Butter & Shugie’s | 309 N Liberty Sy | Morris | 815-942-5093 | www.applebutterandshygies.com |
K’s Secret Garden | 215 E Main St | Streator | 815-672-9733 | www.kssecretgarden.com |
White Trash Galery | 139 Gooding St | LaSalle | www.whitetrashart.com | |
Don’s Furniture Inc | 2571 N State St | Ottawa | 815-433-5313 |
ATTRACTION | ADDRESS | CITY | PHONE | WEB SITE |
ADULT & FAMILY FUN | ||||
Pirates Cay Indoor Water Park | 2558 N 3653rd Rd, Sheridan | Sheridan | 815-496-3292 | piratescay.com |
Cedar Creek Ranch Stables | 815-481-3337 | |||
Starved Rock Connections (Tours) | 815-883-0232 | www.starvedrockconnections.com | ||
Gator Creek Cruise Amphibious ATVing | 249 E IL Rte 71 | Cedar Point | 815-481-3337 | www.ccrstables.com |
Ayers Landing & Canoe Rentals | 3494 E 2089th Rd | Wedron | 815-434-2233 | www.ayerslandingandcanoerental.com |
C&M Canoe & Kayak Rentals | 3401 E 2062nd Rd | Ottawa | 815-434-6690 | www.cmcanoerental.com |
Canoe the Vermilion | 1903 E 1251st Rd | Streator | 815-673-3218 | www.canoethevermilion.com |
KayakMorris.com | Morris | 630-567-4653 | www.kayakmorris.co. | |
Sky Dive Chicago | 3215 E 1969th Rd | Ottawa | 815-433-0000 | https://skydivechicago.com/ |
Salt Tree Yoga | 310 1/2 Main St | Ottawa | 815-434-2751 | www.salttreeyoga.com/ |
Buffalo Range Shooting Park | www.buffalorangeshootingpark.com/ | |||
Awesome Ottawa Bike Tours | Ottawa | https://pickusottawail.com/attractions/awesome-ottawa-bike-tours/ | ||
Belle of the Rock | 1 Dee Bennett Rd | Ottawa | 815-434-9200 | http://www.belleoftherock.com/ |
Vermillion River Rafting | 779 N 2249th Rd | Oglesby | 815-667-5242 | http://www.vermillionriverrafting.com/ |
Fox River Kayaking | http://foxriverkayakingcompany.com/ | |||
Black Socks Stables | http://blacksocks.wix.com/black-socks-stables | |||
Waltham Curling Club | https://walthamcurling.org/ | |||
Starved Rock Hot Glass | https://www.starvedrockhotglass.com/ | |||
Zip Chicago | 2681 E US Rte 6 | Marseilles | 815-795-5001 | http://www.zipchicago.com/ |
Hornbaker Gardens | Princeton | 815-659-3282 | http://hornbakergardens.com/thebarn/ | |
LaSalle Speedway | 578 E US Rte 6 | LaSalle | 815-223-6900 | www.lasallespeedway.com |
The Cliffs Insane Terrain | 2400 E Bluff St | Marseilles | 815-795-5200 | www.thecliffsinsaneterrain.com |
Dirt Runner | 2725 E 2625th St | Marseilles | 630-291-0250 | www.dirtrunners.us |
Fox Valley Off Road | 1952 N 35th Rd | Ottawa | 815-431-9913 | www.foxvalleyoffroad.com |
Quest Watersports | 1851 Old Chicago Rd | Ottawa | 815-433-2200 | www.questsports.com |
Starved Rock Adventures, Inc | 1 Dee Bennett Rd | Ottawa | 815-434-9200 | www.srarock.com |
Concept Haulers Motor Speedway | 3674 E 2603rd Rd | Sheridan | 815-496-2467 | www.concepthaulersmotorspeedway.com |
Punkin Acres Paints | 381 N US 3179th St | LaSalle | 815-223-9076 | www.punkinacrepaints.com |
I&M Canal Boat Tours | LaSalle | 815-220-1848 | www.lasallecanalboat.org | |
Streator Eagle 6 | 301 Danny’s Dr | Streator | 815-673-7082 | www.eagletheatre.net |
Route 34 Drive In | Rte. 34 | Earlville | 815-246-9700 | www.rt34drivein.com |
Enchanted Forest Indoor Amusement Park | 2643 IL Rte 178 | Utica | 866-393866 | www.grizzlyjackresort.com |
Roxy Cinemas | 827 LaSalle St | Ottawa | 815-433-8303 | www.roxycinemas.com |
Carmike Cinemas Peru Mall | 3940 Rte 251 | Peru | 815-223-8194 | www.carmike.com |
Serenity Wellness Center | 221 W Etna Rd #5 | Ottawa | 815-580-3008 | www.serenitywellnesscenterllc.com |