Sat 9/12 @ 10AM-4PM
One of the area’s most unusual festivals is Skunkfest, celebrating its 25th year this weekend. It’s less known than it should be because it’s a bit off the beaten track, taking place at South Central Park in North Ridgeville, but if you’re an animal lover it’s worth seeking out.
Skunkfest is a spinoff of Skunk Haven, a nonprofit skunk rescue co-founded by Skunkfest founder Deb Cipriani. A WHAT rescue?, you ask. These aren’t skunks taken from the wild, but domestic skunks raised to be pets, which come in a range of colors in addition to black-and-white. The problem is they’re a handful, and Cipriani discovered that some people found that their desire for an unusual pet clashed with their ability to keep it from opening cabinets, jumping over gates and in general being rambunctious. So she provided a service to rehome them.
The festival attracts skunk parents from around the country, and you’ll find when you talk to them that they are animal lovers in general, regaling you with the number of dogs, cats, and other pets they have at home. Among the events skunks (and their owners) can take part in are the skunk costumes contests, the King & Queen competition, the Prince & Princess competition, the most talent skunk contest, the best detective contest and the always entertaining skunk run (skunks are about as cooperative in running as cats). Judging takes place from 11:30am-1pm.
The festival also includes speakers, Vendors, food, DJ music and animal rescues. In the past we’ve seen an exotic bird rescue, Dalmatian and Greyhound rescues, and kitten and cat rescues. You can usually count on Avon’s Ferrets Unlimited being there and letting you cuddle one of their rescue ferrets.
Admission is free; a donation of paper towels or natural grain cereal is appreciated.