Canada’s most famous albino groundhog is predicting six more weeks of winter.
Wiarton Willie saw his shadow when roused from his slumber this morning.
Folklore tells us if groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, that means he will flee to his burrow and we will have six more weeks of winter.
South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Gwen Gilbert made the announcement this morning to hundreds of people.
Some people cheered while others jeered the announcement.
The skies were partly cloudy leading up to the big moment, leading some to believe Willie would not see his shadow.
Festival founder Mac Mackenzie even believes Willie may have made a mistake this year and we will get an early spring.
But Mayor Gilbert says Willie saw the sun rising through the clouds and told her he definitely saw his shadow.
Shubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia and Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania both saw their shadows as well.
Gilbert says it’s great news because she is a fan of snowmobiling and skiing.
About 100 snowmobilers were at the prediction ceremony for the First Annual International Wiarton Willie Snowmobile Pilgrimage.
Rick Collins with the Wiarton Trailblazers says it’s great to know more snow is on the way and they’re looking forward to more good sledding.
The Celtic Dance Company of Owen Sound provided some of the entertainment on the main stage during the prediction ceremony.
The girls say they’re very happy to hear Willie say winter will stick around.
Quite a few of them say they love winter activities like toboganning, skiing, and snowmobiling – while one girl points out that more snow means more snow days.
One of the girls disagrees with her troupe, saying her favourite season is summer and she can’t wait for winter to be over.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller and MPP Bill Murdoch were there dressed in their white tuxedos and purple capes as part of Willie’s shadow cabinet.
Miller says he’s OK with Willie’s prediction because he’d rather have winter this time of year than in April – and what’s winter without cold and snow.
Murdoch says he would have rather had an early spring but this winter hasn’t been too bad and he’s heading south anyway for a couple of weeks.
Organizers believe the 54th annual Wiarton Willie Festival was one of the biggest ever, perhaps thanks to the large new venue of Bluewater Park.
A free pancake breakfast was offered to the first 15-hundred people who showed up – and the pancakes quickly ran out.
Groundhog Day festivities continue today in Wiarton with the Moonlight Parade at 6:30 PM and the Tommy Gilham concert at 7:30 PM, followed by fireworks.
The Wiarton Willie Festival will run all week long, wrapping up on Sunday.
