Go Wild at 7 Animal-Themed Festivals in Northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio has a rich biodiversity — and a rich scene of festivals that celebrate everything from birds, to amphibians, bugs and unique backyard animals. Better yet, often these parties benefit animal rescue organizations and fund community resources.

(Photo by Matthew Chasney)

Vermilion’s Woollybear Festival
Woollybear Festival draws in over 100,000 spectators annually for a parade, caterpillar races and the crowning of the Woollybear king or queen. Sandy Coe, executive director of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, has helped run the festival since her mother co-founded the event decades ago with former Fox 8 meteorologist Dick Goddard. “What started off as a folklore of the Woollybear Festival prefacing the winter forecast has turned into a love of the animal, as well as a reminder to be kind to all animals,” says Coe. Free, September, 5495 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, vermilionohio.com

RELATED: Celebrating the 51st Woollybear Festival in Vermilion

Kent’s Black Squirrel Fest
Kent State University students celebrate the school’s  unofficial mascot at Black Squirrel Festival. During parent’s weekend, the event showcases the students’ experience. Not inherently native to the area, black squirrels were brought to Kent State in 1961 by Larry Wooddell, the grounds’ superintendent at the time. “Flash is our main mascot, but there is still a lot of affinity to the black squirrels. I think our community is very unique,” says student activities coordinator Austen Shipley. Free, September, Risman Plaza and Student Green, Kent 

Valley City Frog Jump
Valley City’s annual Frog Jump started in 1962 when residents found inspiration in Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County ” to plan a family-friendly event for Liverpool Township’s 150th anniversary. The contest has a 60-by-60-foot ring stretched out as a target. “You take your frog out to the center, and once it leaves the small center circle,  you get to motivate that frog any way you want, but you cannot touch them,” says Dave Smallwood, president of Valley City Community Group. All frog (and toad) species are welcome to join the contest. Free, July, 1200 Maple St., Valley City, valleycity.org 

North Ridgeville’s SkunkFest
North Ridgeville’s annual SkunkFest fundraises for Skunk Haven, one of the few legally licensed pet skunk rescues in the world. For a fee, attendees can pet or take photos with naturally different colored skunks such as lavender, champagne and apricot — all of which have their scent glands removed. Event organizer and Skunk Haven founder Deborah Cipriani created the nonprofit in 2000 shortly after her first pet skunk became deathly ill. “Because of that, I started Skunk Haven,” she says. “I didn’t want people to feel like I did all those years ago.” Free, September, 7565 Avon Belden Road, North Ridgeville, skunkhaven.net

Hinckley’s Buzzard Day
Eyes to the sky: Every year a natural phenomenon happens in Hinckley, like clockwork. Around the second week of March, herds of buzzards naturally swarm into Hinckley Township, as they have since the 1800s. “Way back when Hinckley was started, there was a great hunt,” says Mark Staron, president of Hinckley’s Chamber of Commerce. “The people got together and shot a bunch of animals, and the buzzards’ sighting day started coming in on March 15.” The community  still celebrates, more than a century later.  Buzzard Day festivities include crafts, a carnival and, of course, the chance to see a live buzzard in person. Free, March, 1586 Center Road, Hinckley, hinckleyohchamber.com

RELATED: 3 Things We Didn't Know About Hinckley's Vultures

(Photo courtesy Perch and Pilsner Festival)

Conneaut’s Perch & Pilsner Festival
Held in Conneaut  every September, this festival features delicious perch dinners paired with local craft and domestic beers, live music and family-friendly activities. This year, some proceeds go toward a scholarship fund for Conneaut High School students. “The community loves a good festival,” says Wendy DuBey, executive director of the Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have a lot of perch fishermen going out of our harbor.” Free, September, 480 Lake Road, Conneaut, perchandpilsner.com

RELATED: Fall for Fishing on the Lake Erie Shore

Biggest Week In American Birding 
OK, it’s not exactly in Northeast Ohio, but this one’s worth the relatively short drive to Ohio’s Maumee Bay Lodge, if you’re into birdwatching. Featuring over 230 recorded species, the Biggest Week In American Birding typically offers sights of 36 warbler species (including the blue-winged warbler, orange-crowned warbler and mourning warbler) during the expansive 10-day event. The BWIAB aims to raise support and awareness for bird habitat conservation. “We all know that people care the most about the things that they love, and so for us, we just want to h›elp as many people as possible come together and fall in love with birds and birding and then send them back filled with joy and optimism,” says Kimberly Kaufman, executive director of Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Free, May, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference  Center, 1750 State Park Road #2, Oregon, Ohio, biggestweekinamericanbirding.com 

RELATED: Meet our full list of more than 35 resilient and adorable critters from our September 2024 issue.

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