Wiarton Wille is Canada’s most famous prognosticating groundhog, from the town of Wiarton, Ontario. Willie is a white groundhog whose coming was foretold as one who would forever alter the world of weather prognostication. Every February 2nd, Willie announces his prediction in Groundhogese to The Mayor of the Land and of the Marmot, the only The groundhog did not see its shadow this morning (Friday, Feb. 2), and if the Groundhog Day prediction holds true, that means we’ll have an early spring this year. Willie has been predicting the weather every year on Feb. 2 since 1957. The Wiarton Willie Festival draws people in from all over Ontario and the 2025 rendition is set to be a fun one. The festival. Happening in the community of Wiarton located in South Bruce Peninsula, the festival kicks off on Jan. 31 and runs until Feb. 2. Between the 31st and the 2nd, there will be a little something for everyone. A monument to Wiarton Willie in Bluewater Park. Wiarton Willie is the name given to a Canadian groundhog who lives in the community of Wiarton in Bruce County, Ontario. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Willie takes part in the local Wiarton Willie Festival. His role is to predict whether there will be an early spring. Although the original Wiarton Willie has made 61 predictions since 1955.. 25 predictions (41%) of six more weeks of winter; 36 predictions (59%) of early spring; 9 times, Willie’s predictions went unrecorded A new Wiarton Willie gets set to forecast if spring will come early First in-person celebration of annual GroundHog Day festival since the pandemic. Updated 2025 The Toronto Star and thestar Here is what you need to know about Groundhog Day: the day dedicated to a weather-predicting rodent. Did the groundhog see his shadow? See results of Punxsutawney Phil's 2024 winter forecast Published on Jan. 17, 2025, 6:15 PM. Manitoba Merv, Wiarton Willie, Fred la Marmotte, and Shubenacadie Sam, to predict if spring will come early, or if winter will stick around for another six *Note that some groundhogs did not make predictions every year in the past 20 years. Special Mention: Punxsatawney Phil. Although he is not the most accurate seasonal prognosticator, we would be remiss not to honor the longest-running weather-forecasting groundhog in the United States, Punxsutawney Phil. WATCH: Groundhog Day 2024: Wiarton Willie predicts early spring for Canada – Feb 2, 2024. Global Okanagan Weather: Jan.17, 2025. Snow squall leaves Alberta roads a slick, dangerous mess Wiarton Willie, a white groundhog that lives in Wiarton, Ont., has predicted an early spring, matching similar forecasts from Punxsutawney Phil, Fred la marmotte and Shubenacadie Sam. Lucy the Groundhog Day Celebrations occuring in 2025 Wiarton Willie: Groundhog: 02/02/25: 8:07am EST: Wiarton Town Hall: 370 William St, South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario N0H The Legacy of Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day’s enduring popularity stems from its combination of folklore, community spirit, and humor. It offers a moment of levity in the depths of winter and connects people to nature and the changing seasons. Bill Murray Groundhog Day. The holiday gained additional cultural significance with the 1993 film It’s Groundhog Day, and as folklore goes, a groundhog will emerge from its burrow and if it does not see its shadow, then spring is just around the corner, w Watch Groundhog Day 2024: Wiarton Willie predicts early spring Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca. 09:41 | January 26, 2025 Doug Ford says he plans to call snap Ontario election next week. Wiarton Willie Hockey Dance (Sat Feb 1, 2025) Dance Sat Feb 1, 2025 from 8pm to 2am. Music featuring Fat Boy Tony Band and Grey Road One. $20/per ticket at the Wiarton Arena. Wiarton Willie Hockey Tournament (Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2025) Pancake Breakfast (Feb 1, 2025) The St. John's United Church Wiarton Willie Pancake Breakfast. Feb 1 from 8am to 12 Canada’s list of Groundhog Day predictors also include Lucy the Lobster, TR Tunnel, Shubenacadie Sam, Okanagan Okie, Balzac Billy, Van Isle Violet, Fred la Marmotte and Manitoba Merv. Wiarton Willie Festival . What: Visit Wiarton on February 2 to wake up Willie at 7am with fireworks, and catch the official prediction at 8:07am. Groundhog Day is on Friday, February 2nd and that means all eyes will be on the province’s weather-predicting groundhog, Wiarton Willie. Every year Ontarians wait to see if he will cast a shadow, foretelling six more weeks of winter or if he’ll show no shadow, therefore bringing an early spring. 4:40 Groundhog Day 2022: Wiarton Willie predicts early spring with grey skies Ontario’s groundhog Wiarton Willie with South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson. ©2025 Global News, a Town of South Bruce Peninsula Janice Jackson coaxed Wiarton Willie out of his burrowed hole on Wednesday and with grey skies overhead and light snow falling
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