Groundhog Day is on Sunday, February 2.
Groundhog Day tradition has it originated from the Pennsylvania Dutch in Punxsutawney, PA in 1887.
The tradition itself goes back to a Christian feast known as Candlemas. People believed some animals like bears or badgers were waking up from hibernation on February 2 during the Middle Ages, when it is the middle day between the shortest day of the year at winter solstice and when day and night are equal at the spring equinox. If the Sun shines on this date, and he sees his shadow, then for the next six weeks winter’s going to budget more days for six weeks, then if it does not see his shadow then it will be an early spring because there would be no shadow in the cloudy week.
The badger was replaced by the immigrant population in Pennsylvania with the groundhog, creating Punxsutawney Phil who has been forecasting the weather since 1887.
Wiarton Willie ARTICLE GOES BELOW
The most famous groundhog in Southern Ontario is Wiarton Willie.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
According to the tourism website of Bruce Peninsula, it was in 1957 that this groundhog weather predictor was initiated. It was a local man, Mac McKenzie, known for his sense of fun, who felt that Wiarton could do with some winter disturbance. Though most of his friends from Toronto frowned at his invitation for the Groundhog Day celebration, a reporter cum photographer for Toronto Daily Star, Frank Teskey, found himself attending the festivity.
He was dispatched to the Arlington Hotel, and there, sure enough, he found McKenzie holding forth in company with some cronies. Teskey knew there was no performance going on but also knew he couldn’t go back to Toronto without a story.
He was part of McKenzie’s group, and the next day they went out, dug a small hole, found what looked like a groundhog and a woman’s white fur hat, put them in the hole, took a picture and that’s it.
And so it began.
Wiarton Willie 2025 Festival and Prediction Morning
The Wiarton Willie 2025 Festival and Prediction Morning will be held on Sunday, February 2. Organizers: Town of South Bruce Peninsula
The address for the event is 370 William St., where the town’s future town hall for the community is to be located. Near to it are the Wiarton visitor centre, and Wiarton Willie’s statue and home.
Fireworks at 7:00 am; Willie’s official forecast; 8:07a.m. Festival Activities: 9-2 Bluewater Park
For more information on the event, visit southbrucepeninsula.com.
Additional Festivities:
Other regions in Canada host Groundhog Day festivities as well…
Shubenacadie Sam, a well-known groundhog from Nova Scotia, has been doing weather predictions since 1987.
THE ARTICLE GOES ON BELOW
Harvey’s the groundhog out of Lambton County at Heaven’s Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation & Education Centre in Ontario.
Fred the groundhog lives in Val-d’Espoir, Quebec.
So here it is, editors — what the furry seers had to say for 2024:
Willie predicts: Early spring
Sam predicts: Early spring
Harvey predicts: Long winter
Fred predicts: Early spring
Phil predicts: Early spring
A.M Headlines Newsletter
Subscribe to get our free morning newsletter.
Error! Sorry, but there was an issue processing your request.
Something went wrong with the recaptcha. Please try again.
Enter a valid email address. Sign Up I agree to receive personalized content recommendations and promotional posts by email from YorkRegion.com.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
A.M. Headlines Newsletter You have subscribed successfully. Look for A.M. Headlines in your inbox soon.
Want more of our latest updates? Sign up for more by visiting our newsletter page.
