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It's official. Bruce County will have six more weeks of
winter.
That's according to Wiarton Willie who handed down his weather
prediction this morning (Tuesday, Feb. 2) at 8:07 a.m. in the
town of Wiarton on the Bruce Peninsula.
Willie, an albino groundhog, was greeted by crowds of people,
politicians and media. Some had come from as far away as Toronto
(a three hour drive), Sarnia, Detroit, Calgary and there was
even a visitor from Israel, along with national and
international media. Each year, approximately 20,000 visitors or
more make the trek up the Bruce Peninsula to the town of Wiarton
to watch first hand as Willie makes his forecast.
Mayor Gwen Gilbert, who it is said speaks 'groundhogese',
listened carefully as Wiarton Willie whispered into her ear his
wintry forecast of another six weeks of winter.
Everyone gets into the act (next column)
02/02/2009 01:50 PM
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MPP BIll Murdoch listens as Wiarton Mayor Gwen
Gilbert addresses the crowd
Across Canada, Wiarton Willie and his cousins,
Schubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia, Balzac Billy in Alberta and Brandon
Bob in Manitoba, each made his prediction, along with their American
relative, Puxatawny Phil in the U.S.
Wiarton Willie the first, was also an albino groundhog who died during
the winter of 1998-1999 at the ripe old age of 22 years. Each year, the
Wiarton Willie festival is held on the weekend leading up to February
2nd when thousands visit the community and see Wiarton Willie's
replacement carry on the tradition.
Mayors Larry Kraemer of Kincardine & Mike Smith of
Saugeen Shores enjoy the fun
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