SHELBYVILLE - Auction prices soared for morel mushrooms, which have eluded even the most expert hunters this year.

The mushroom auction was part of the inaugural Spores 'N More Spring Fling. Before Saturday afternoon's downpour, four towns - Shelbyville, Sullivan, Bethany and Findlay - offered a variety of outdoor entertainment. Most of the towns luckily had some of Saturday's events scheduled indoors, such as the auction of the mushrooms at the Chatauqua Auditorium in Forest Park in Shelbyville.

The auction allowed the 87 mushroom hunters, who participated in the Spores 'N More mushroom hunting contest, a chance to sell their mushrooms. Awards were also given in several categories. The grand champion, Tom Marcum of Leroy, found 28 mushrooms, followed by Tim Bonebrake of Sullivan with 24. Second in the men's division was Mike Corzine of Assumption, who found 23 mushrooms.

In the women's division, Vanessa Corzine of Assumption led with 17 mushrooms.

Chas Seelow of Lovington found the largest mushroom, and Kaye Snider of Mattoon found the smallest mushroom.

Kathy Niksic, president of the Kaskia-Kaw River Conservancy, said the reason for a less-than-bountiful harvest of mushrooms this year is probably the weather. She said it plays a huge role in the growth of mushrooms.

Mushrooms tend to grow better when there is a combination of heat and rain. But Niksic said this year it's been either warm and dry or wet but cold.

Area mushroom hunters who didn't participate in the contest also were allowed to sell their mushrooms. A total of $754 was netted during the hour-long auction.

"I am amazed," said Sullivan Mayor Ann Short of the total amount of the auction. A dollar from each winning bid was earmarked for the Spores 'N More committee.

Although mushroom hunters had to work harder to find the mushrooms, they delighted as they watched the bids skyrocket for even the smallest bags of mushrooms. The bags weren't officially weighed, but it was estimated several of the bags in the $20 to $30 range were less than a pound. One larger bag of mushrooms estimated at 11/2 pounds by auction officials topped out at $70. Another large bag sold for $60.

Short said the four towns have scheduled a meeting to discuss sponsoring Spores 'N More again next year.

"It's been a really great thing," said Niksic. "All of the towns worked together, and everyone became friends."

Niksic said the planning of Spores 'N More has encouraged other dialog about tourism and economic development.

Contact Krista Lewin at klewin@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.