Sat 9/10 @ 10AM-4PM
There’s no event around quite like Skunkfest, founded two decades ago by North Ridgeville resident Deb Cipriani and now in its 21st year.
Cipriani started a pet skunk rescue when she found that people acquired domestic skunks (which are not taken from the wild but bred to be domestic) to have a different sort of pet, without realizing how high-maintenance they are — and giving them up. What started as an informal backyard party for skunk owners evolved became a public event taking place at North Ridgeville’s South Central Park.
And even if you aren’t a skunk owner, you’ll enjoy admiring the animals, which come in colors such lavender, white, apricot, as well as the traditional black & white stripes. Skunk owners love to talk about their pets so they’ll eagerly share their stories.
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, therapy bunnies and Siamese cats. There’s almost always a local shelter with kittens, and Ferrets Unlimited is a regular. In 2018 the director of a wild animal rehab center in Kentucky brought an orphaned possum — dressed in a skunk costume. And one year someone arrived pulling a pet pig in a wagon. If you love animals in general, go!
The event also features lots of vendors, most with pet-related products as well as craft and gift items; speakers; games; raffles; human food; people in skunk costumes; a skunk costume contest; and the crowning of a skunk king & queen and prince & princess between 11:30AM & 1PM. In the afternoon there are more contests, for best-dressed skunk, most talented skunk and “best detective,” as well as the amusing skunk run where the owner is usually begging a laidback skunk to pretty please start running — or at least not run backwards to the starting line!
Admission for the public is a roll of paper towels, natural grain cereal or whatever monetary donation you feel moved to give.