The Skunk Farm House Band. Photo courtesy of Glynn Zeigler/Skunkfest
What started out as a Friday evening cookout among friends has now grown to become one of the Upstate’s biggest, semi-annual music events.
And when the first act takes the stage for the 17th annual spring SkunkFest set for May 6-9, it will not only bring perhaps its largest crowd to date, but continue to prove that even in an age of push-button technology, people want to hear music played by real musicians.
“We average around 1,600 folks, including musicians and volunteers,” said founder and organizer Glynn Zeigler. “Crowd size is of course dependent on good weather for our day attendees. Last October’s SkunkFest was one of our largest.”
May’s SkunkFest will again be held at The Skunk Farm – Zeigler’s 22-acre site about six miles north of Greer, near the intersection of Jordan Road and Mount Lebanon Church Road. All ticket information can be obtained at https://albinoskunk.com/tickets/.
Primitive tent camping and RV camping areas are available on site within easy walking distance to the stage and facilities.
Local food vendors, craft beers from The Community Tap, handmade crafts and Kiddieland with playground, activities, kid’s shows and drive-in movie are part of the attractions – in addition to the marquee music.
On display will be all sorts of mostly acoustic music – including Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Alternative Country, Roots and Bluegrass.
“We’re proud of our eclectic mix of music,” said Zeigler. “Check out this year’s line-up.”
Kentucky-born Aaron Raitiere will kick things off with his laid-back, speak-singing delivery style.
Atlanta’s Kristina Murray will all but dare you to keep a dry eye with her songs of brokenness that will still make you smile.
Ric Robertson will push the limits with timeless folk wisdom and psychedelic backroom vaudeville.
And the harmonies and ‘pickin’ of Sweet Megg, Clay Street Unit, and the Darren Nicholson Band will likely have you cheering up a storm.
And, of course, what would SkunkFest be without the Skunk Farm House Band closing down the pre-show evenings.
“The skunk farm is a truly magical place,” said patron Mike Okupinski. “We couldn't imagine not being a part of it!”
And patron MaryEllen DeSilva Anderson called it, “One of the Upstate's best-kept secrets.”
That secret, however, is now entering its 32nd year. In 1995, Zeigler thought it would be fun to play some stereo music during an autumn cookout. This simple act soon turned into a four-year private party, before he added an orange tarp strung between two trees, molded a few sheets of plywood into a stage, and started charging admission “so we could hire touring musicians.”
The outcome was the annual Albino Skunk Music Festival – which became so popular that the annual spring SkunkFest was added in 2010.
As for the odd name and accompanying logo, Zeigler noticed a mostly white skunk on the property “not a real albino, all white & pink eyes” and I had one of our sons draw a couple of skunks playing string instruments.”
So if live music is something you can’t get enough of, SkunkFest is the place to be. As it says on one of the festival signs: Come see live humans makin’ music.
