Wiarton, Ont. preparing for invasion of 'Wiarton Willie' fans on Thursday
You can forgive Wiarton Willie and his human interpreter if they’re a little nervous on Wednesday — it’s the first prediction ceremony for both of them.
“We have a new mayor, Mayor Michi. He’s been practicing his ‘groundhog-ese,' and he’s excited for his first prediction ceremony. We’re looking forward to have our albino groundhog back, all the way from Cleveland, so he’s ready for his big debut live at 8:07 [a.m.] tomorrow,” explained Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s Wiarton Willie Festival Organizer, and Manager of Economic Development, Danielle Edwards.
Following his untimely death due to a tooth abscess in late 2020, followed by two virtual prediction ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions, Wiarton Willie’s 67th annual winter weather prediction ceremony will return to an in-person event on Thursday morning.
A crowd of 1,000 or more are expected to greet the prognosticating marmot at 8:07 am.
“We’ve been a couple of years, virtual, so it’s been nice to see everybody back. People we haven’t seen in a couple years, for the businesses in town. We look forward to a large crowd tomorrow morning for the prediction ceremony,” said Laura Lisk, chair of Wiarton’s Chamber of Commerce.
Wiarton Willie in his enclosure in Wiarton, Ont. in November 2022. (Source: Town of South Bruce Peninsula)
Legend has it, if Willie sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring is just around the corner. Last year, Wiarton Willie’s brown-coated understudy predicted an early spring.
“I certainly hope he doesn’t see his shadow, and spring is here soon, and we get to see some colour and tulips. That’s my preference,” said Lisk, who is also a local real estate agent.
Whatever Willie sees or doesn’t, Wiarton is just happy he’s back, and the crowds that come with him.
“It’s not just tourists that come up. It is a homecoming for the community. It’s just a fantastic event, and we’re just thrilled to have it back, live in person, again,” said Edwards.
Prediction morning is just the start of the Wiarton Willie Festival. A weekend full of family friendly events, including outdoor skating and foosball, axe throwing, and a trackless train resumes on Saturday morning.
To learn more you can visit the Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.