The Islander: Tale of the Ape

Weekend festival will pay tribute to a mythic -- though malodorous – figure

June 10, 2005, Naples. Fla., USA

Naples Daily News

By MEGHAN NUTTER, Staff Writer

Something is lurking in the Everglades. Nobody is exactly sure what it is, but many have witnessed it, or at least its smell.

When the odor of rotten eggs, manure and skunk permeates the air, folks keep their eyes peeled for the Skunk Ape.

The supposed apelike creature is said to roam the Everglades, occasionally being spotted by a human. Some believe it is a Sasquatch, possibly a relative of Bigfoot, that is said to roam the Pacific Northwest.

Whatever it is, it has gained a lot of attention by locals, and those farther flung, and this weekend a huge party will be thrown in its honor.

The third annual Skunk Ape Festival will kick off at noon Saturday, June 11, at Trail Lakes Campground in Ochopee and will run until 9 p.m. with live music and food.

There will be eyewitness testimonials, of course, as those who have seen the Skunk Ape share their stories with the crowd.

Additionally, a Ms. Skunk Ape contest will allow local ladies to show off their knowledge of the creature.

The whole shebang will be carried off by local man David Shealy, who had his first encounter with the Skunk Ape 30 years ago.

"The Skunk Ape has always been a part of my life," Shealy said. "When I was 10 years old I saw my first sighting of the Skunk Ape when I was hunting with my brother."

The Skunk Ape was a favorite topic of dinner conversations with family and friends when Shealy was a kid. And ever since he first spotted it, Shealy has been looking for the creature and said he has even captured it on film and on a seven-minute video.

"There is a certain amount of truth in everything," Shealy said. "Hundreds of people aren't going to say they have seen something if there isn't anything there to see. They are seeing something; what it is exactly, I don't know."

What Shealy does know is that the Skunk Ape generates a lot of excitement and the festival is a good family-oriented event.

He remembers a similar festival when he was a child in Ochopee. It was started by local man Bill Mitchell, who at that time owned the Oasis Visitors Center.

The festival had carnival rides, canoe races, sky divers and, of course, the Skunk Ape.

"It was the first time I had ever seen carnival rides," Shealy said. "I was basically living in the dark out here in the Everglades. I had heard about the Skunk Ape, but that was the first time anybody went public with the information."

In 2003, in memory of Mitchell, Shealy decided to throw a Skunk Ape Festival. It grew a little in 2004, and this year Shealy hopes to draw an even larger crowd. He has dedicated this year's festival to Tommy and Danny Mitchell, sons of the late Bill Mitchell.

Local musician Kimberly Lamp will sing as well as co-host the show. Between performances, those who have seen the Skunk Ape will get up to share their stories with the crowd. Also, throughout the day, the recent documentary The Ochoppee Skunk Ape will be shown. The film by Nate Martin stars Shealy and portrays his life's obsession with the Skunk Ape.

The animal exhibit at the campground will be open during the festival for children to view the alligators, snakes, parrots and other animals. A handler will be there to answer questions.

Skunk Ape merchandise will be for sale, along with food, and festivalgoers can bring coolers and lawn chairs.

And — who knows? — the Skunk Ape itself just may make an appearance. So if that rather distinct odor wafts past your nostrils, keep your eyes open and your camera ready, and you might have your own Skunk Ape tale to tell.

Copyright 2005, Naples Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

SKUNK APE FESTIVAL

— When: noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 11

— Where: Trail Lakes Campground in Ochopee

— How to get there: Take U.S. 41 East to Ochopee. The campground is two miles east of the Big Cypress National Preserve Headquarters. The Skunk Ape Festival sign is on the shoulder of the highway near a concrete gorilla. Campsites are available.

— Admission: $10

— Information: (239) 695-2275 or www.skunkape.info