Sat 9/11 @ 10AM-4PM
We don’t know how far people will come to attend the 20th Skunkfest in North Ridgeville in this ongoing pandemic year — in the past we’ve met people who drove across country with their pet skunks. But there are sure to be many skunk owners from Ohio and adjoining states, and there are many.
Skunkfest event was founded by Deb Cipriani, a North Ridgeville resident who started a skunk rescue when she found that people enamored of owning an exotic pet were adopting these animals (which are not taken from the wild but bred to be domestic) without realizing how high-maintenance they are, and giving them up. What started as an informal backyard get-together for skunk owners eventually became the public event called Skunkfest taking place at South Central Park.
If you haven’t seen these domestic pet skunks, you’re going to be surprised. They come in a multitude of colors: lavender, white, apricot, as well as the traditional black & white stripes. All the skunk owners love to talk about their critters so they’ll share their background, their care and — all the other critters they have at home, since these people seem to be equal-opportunity animal lovers.
So the festival isn’t limited to skunks. There are always other animals rescues there: over the years they’ve hosted rescues for tropical birds, Dalmatians, greyhounds, bait dogs, ferrets and Siamese cats. There’s almost always a local shelter with kittens, and the last couple of years, there have been therapy bunnies. Expect almost anything animal-related. In 2018 the director of a wild animal rehab center in Kentucky brought an orphaned possum — dressed in a skunk costume.
The event also features lots of vendors, most with pet-related products as well as craft and gift items; speakers; people in skunk costumes; a skunk costume contest; and the crowning of a skunk king & queen and prince & princess. There are even skunk races, although don’t expect much excitement. When it comes to racing, skunks are like cats: the races often feature the owner begging a recalcitrant skunk to please start running.
Admission for the public is a roll of paper towels, natural grain cereal or whatever monetary donation you feel moved to give.