It’s almost time to get the long-range forecast from Wiarton’s most famous resident.
Groundhog Day is February 2nd, and Wiarton’s albino groundhog Willie is set to make his prognostication of an early spring or a long winter when he wakes up Sunday morning.
The 69th annual prediction event will take place at the Wiarton arena. If Willie sees his shadow and goes back into his burrow, six more weeks of winter is in store. If he doesn’t see his shadow, it’s an early spring.
It’s the mayor’s role to interpret the groundhog’s report and announce it to the crowd. In 2024, Willie predicted an early spring.
The festivities start at 7 a.m. with a fireworks display, followed by Wiarton Willie’s Official Prediction at 8:07.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Wiarton Willie Festival is planned in Bluewater Park. Attractions will include a trackless train, inflatable mazes, video gaming trailer, horse drawn wagons, axe throwing trailer, and a photo booth.
There are also prediction morning breakfast sandwiches. They’ll be taking donations to the local elementary school’s field trip fund.
The festival is a weekend-long affair with plenty of activities.
A hockey tournament goes all weekend.
There’s a casino night and homecoming dance planned at the Propeller Club Friday night and a dance Saturday night featuring Midnight Blue.
Saturday there’s a pancake breakfast, chili chowdown, craft and vendor’s market hockey tournament dance. The legion has a number of activities throughout the weekend.
There’s a curling bonspiel on Saturday.
For a full listing of festival events, visit HERE.
