AUTHOR’S NOTE: I first attended this festival in 2009, which you can read about HERE.

Along with Ohio’s more unique festivals about pawpaws, duct tape and Dean Martin, there’s a very special one in North Ridgeville that all animal lovers should check out…

…called SkunkFest.

Originally taking place in founder Deborah Cipriani’s backyard over 10 years ago…

…the festival has since grown with word of mouth and media press…

…and moved to South Central Park…

…where it could better accommodate music entertainment…

…some basic food selections in the pavilion…

…a raffle…

…and vendors offering herbal creations and Tupperware for humans…

…pillows and pastries for pooches…

…not to mention a pet psychic…

…and, of course, plenty of skunk items for the skunk lover…

…of which there were plenty!

But before I start talking specifically about skunks, let me first say that there were many other animals that festival goers got to see, pet or help…

…including donkeys, goats (Life’s Little Adventure Farm)…

…ferrets (F.U.R.S.)…

…small exotic animals (F5RS)…

…and various dog breeds, including dalmatians and pugs.

But, in the end, these critters were outnumbered…

…by those that rested on chests…

…hung over shoulders…

…crept out of strollers…

…dug in the dirt…

…and nestled in their owners’ arms like a baby.

Yes, the skunks were everywhere…

…and they were ready to be admired…

…just as long as festival goers remembered…

…not to pet them without the skunk owner’s permission!

This was of the utmost importance to remember and there were signs everywhere to remind you.

Fortunately, for festival goers who didn’t want to take any chances…

…there was a tent where you could get a picture with them (for a fee)…

…a skunk car you could get close to…

…and a very friendly skunk you could even hug.

He was even considerate enough to wear air fresheners.

Max was a little suspicious of this large skunk at first…

…but after a bit of encouragement…

…even Max seemed intrigued.

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