French Creek Freddie’s Predictions Are 50-50. In the past 40 years, Freddie’s forecasts have an accuracy rate of about 50 percent. On Groundhog Day 2021, the weather was cold, cloudy and snowy. So, when Freddie emerged from his den he did not see his shadow. Freddie predicted an early spring and he was proven correct in the following weeks. Forecaster Type: Groundhog Location: French Creek, West Virginia, United States Description: French Creek Freddie has been predicting the weather on Groundhog Day every year since 1978 at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. A large celebration attended by several hundred people is held each year with free refreshments, children's French Creek Freddie is a weather-predicting groundhog from Upshur County, West Virginia. Unlike his unseen state compatriot Concord Charlie, French Creek Freddie is a visible groundhog, who issues predictions annually from his home at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. Freddie will make his prediction during the annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek, which is open to the public and will begin at 9:30 a.m. “Freddie is currently hibernating, but he’ll wake up on Sunday to welcome hundreds of visitors,” a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources West Virginia’s French Creek Freddie didn’t come onto the scene until more than a century later. In 1978, Freddie’s weather-predicting career started when former West Virginia State Wildlife Center Superintendent Bill Vanscoy responded to a reporter on Groundhog Day if there was a groundhog on site and if it had seen its shadow. french creek, w.va. (wchs) — updated - 10:10 a.m., 2/2/24 French Creek Freddie’s prediction is in – the weather-predicting groundhog did not see his shadow Friday meaning an early spring for On Groundhog Day 2024, French Creek Freddie, West Virginia's most famous rodent, emerged from his shed at the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek, Upshur County, and predicted an early spring this year. Gov. Jim Justice called into the event and shared Babydog's prediction. DNR Director Brett McMillion said he hoped the Wildlife Center would be open soon. FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. (WBOY) — Move over, Punxsutawney Phil—French Creek Freddie is set to make his 46th Groundhog Day prediction at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in Upshur County on Thursday, Feb. 2. This will be Freddie’s 46th Groundhog Day prediction at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek, located in Upshur County. The free event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 2 and will be open to the public and media outlets. LATEST: Did French Creek Freddie see his shadow on Feb. 2? Results here.. UPDATE: 2/1/2024, 11:13 a.m. FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek has been given one-day clearance to hold its annual Groundhog Day celebration featuring French Creek Freddie. French Creek Freddie, North America's fourth-longest tenured groundhog weather prognosticator, will make that call on Feb. 2, 2025 during his 47th annual Groundhog Day appearance in the At 10:00 a.m., French Creek Freddie, the State Wildlife Center’s resident weather-predicting groundhog, will emerge from his dwelling to reveal whether an early spring is on the way or if winter West Virginia’s Groundhog Day Started In 1978. The modern Groundhog Day celebration was started in the 1800s by German farmers living in Pennsylvania, not far from where Freddie’s cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, makes his own prediction each year. West Virginia’s French Creek Freddie didn’t come onto the scene until more than a century later. On Groundhog Day 2024, French Creek Freddie, West Virginia's most famous rodent, emerged from his shed at the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek, Upshur County, and predicted an early The French Creek Freddie mascot gets his photo taken with a class from French Creek Elementary School on Feb. 2, 2022, during the 45th annual Groundhog Day observance at the West Virginia Wildlife French Creek Freddie is set to make his annual prediction on Feb. 2 as West Virginia celebrates Groundhog Day, according to a news release from the Division of Natural Resources. French Creek Freddie is a prognosticating Groundhog from Upshur County in West Virginia, USA. French Creek Freddie has made 36 predictions since 1980. French Creek Freddie mascot at the Groundhog Day celebration (WBOY image) The West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek hosted meteorologists of all ages for this year’s festivities that started over 40 years ago when the Freddie folklore began. “In 1978, the then-superintendent got approached by a reporter and asked, ‘Hey! FRENCH CREEK, W.Va, (WBOY) — After it nearly looked like the West Virginia Wildlife Center would not be able to host a Groundhog Day ceremony this year, it was announced Thursday that the center would be granted one-day clearance to hold the annual tradition featuring French Creek Freddie. You can visit French Creek Freddie and dozens of his animal friends! The West Virginia Wildlife Center in Upshur County is home to French Creek Freddie and nearly 30 different species of West Virginia mammals, birds and reptiles. Visiting this 338-acre facility is perfect for a fun and educational family outing.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.