Carbondale’s Most Unique Festival is Back! 

The City of Carbondale and Carbondale Main Street are excited to welcome everyone to the 4th Annual Hemp, Hops & Shrooms Festival , a one-of-a-kind celebration of science, food, music, and fun. In collaboration with Southern Illinois University’s Cannabis Science Center and the Fermentation Science Institute, this festival continues to highlight the groundbreaking research and creativity happening right here in our community. 

Saturday, September 20, 2025 
Downtown Entertainment & Events Plaza 
3–9 PM 
Free and family-friendly 

Learn Something New (3–6 PM) 
Curious about hemp, cannabis, mushrooms, or fermentation? SIU professors and regional experts will host engaging presentations and demonstrations designed to teach, inspire, and entertain. 

Presentations 
• 3:00 PM – Terpene or Not Terpene, That is the Question – A fragrant exploration into aroma compounds with SIU’s Fermentation Science Institute 
• 4:00 PM – Optimizing Environmental Controls for Indoor Cannabis Cultivation – with Dr. Jose Leme and SIUC research students 
• 5:00 PM – Mushroom Production: For Food, Profit, and Fun – with Mike Hatfield of Flyway Family Farms 

Demonstrations (run continuously throughout the day)
• Cannabis cultivation insights with Dr. Jose Leme 
• Cooking with Mushrooms and Extracts with Jessica Mushroomama 
• Hemp for Fiber and Food with Karla Gage (SIUC) and Hunter Buffington (National Hemp Growers Association) 

Evening Entertainment (6–9 PM) 
As the sun sets, the plaza energizes even more with Carbondale’s Off the Rails Concert Series. 

• 6:00–7:20 PM – Sturg & Friends, a local rock/reggae/funk/blues/folk/Americana ensemble 
• 7:30–9:00 PM – Colt Ball & The Git Down, a high-energy post-jam/funk fusion/reggae-core group from St. Louis 

Bring a chair, grab your crew, and get ready to dance under the stars.  This is a BYOC (bring your own chair) and BYOB (bring your own beverage, non-glass containers) event. 

Food, Vendors, and Family Fun 
Food trucks will be on site with flavors from across the region, along with local vendors offering unique finds and handmade goods. Kids can climb the portable rock wall from SIU’s Touch of Nature.  

Come be a part of the fun - Vendor & Volunteer applications are available now. 

A Whole Weekend of Discovery 
This festival coincides with SIU’s 6th Annual Hemp and Cannabis Symposium on Friday, September 19 at SIU’s Gower Translational Research Center. The symposium runs from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with a social mixer from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information and registration is available here: https://conferenceservices.siu.edu/conferences/southern-illinois-hemp-symposium.php 

“The SIU Cannabis Science Center enthusiastically supports the annual Carbondale Hemp, Hops and Shrooms Festival, and holding this event on the Saturday immediately following the SIU Hemp / Cannabis Symposium just makes so much sense!” said Gary Kinsel, Director of the SIU Cannabis Science Center.  “We look forward to participating again in this year’s festival and for many years to come!” 

City Manager Stan Reno said, “The Hemp, Hops & Shrooms Festival has grown into one of Carbondale’s signature events, thanks to the ongoing partnership with SIU’s Fermentation Science Institute and Cannabis Science Center. This festival shines a spotlight on the innovation, education, and community spirit that make Carbondale unique. We are proud to host an event that brings people together to learn, celebrate, and enjoy some of the best of what our city has to offer.” 

Don’t miss your chance to learn, taste, shop, and groove at one of Southern Illinois’ most unique festivals. See you downtown on September 20.  

For questions or more information, contact Carbondale Public Relations at 618-713-0711.