gmhTODAY 03 gmhToday July Aug 2015 | Page 60

The 36th Annual Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras was a huge success. While attendance was down a little on Saturday due to the cooler weather, this year’s festival showed the earliest Sunday crowd ever. Local favorite Shane Dwight delighted music enthusiasts at the Amphitheater. The chef demo stage was standing room only both days and food vendors reported record-breaking sales. The Western Mushroom Marketing Association was on hand both days to educate festival-goers on the health benefits of mushrooms and how mushrooms are grown. Festival Mascot Mardi the Mushroom was a huge success with kids as he strolled around the festival along with entertainers in costume. Sunday’s scholarship presentation honored 50 high school seniors who received scholarships from the Mushroom Mardi Gras organization. There were over 280 booths welcoming visitors to browse and buy food, arts & crafts and retail merchandise. A variety of music on two stages brought in enthusiastic crowds to enjoy the music and dancing. 60 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2015 gmhtoday.com