Wiarton Willie says it’s an early spring

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The prediction is in and Wiarton Willie says it is an early spring.

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The weather prognosticating albino groundhog made his 67th annual prediction at 8:07 a.m., and since he didn’t see his shadow, an early spring it was.

It was the first prediction for the latest Willie, who arrived in Wiarton late last year after he was found in Cleveland. And it was newly elected South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Garry Michi who made the announcement to the large crowd that had gathered outside the Wiarton District Community Centre and Arena.

It appeared Willie was the more comfortable of the two in their new roles in front of the large and boisterous crowd.

“Now that I am done, it is not too bad,” Michi joked afterwards. “It was a little nerve-wracking, but it went good.

“It is nice to see everybody here for this today. There are a lot of familiar faces in the crowd and I am ecstatic.”

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After the event had to be taken online the past two years because of the pandemic, Michi said it meant so much to be able to have the in-person prediction again.

“It brings the whole community together,” said Michi. “With COVID it shut people in and now everyone can come out and have a good time. We have lots going on this weekend.”

South Bruce Peninsula announced in September that a new albino Willie had been found and would be making the 2023 prediction.

The news came after a brown groundhog filled in in 2022 after the town’s previous albino groundhog passed away from a tooth abscess in early 2021. The brown critter has been relegated to understudy at the groundhog enclosure at Bluewater Park.

The latest white Willie was located in Ohio and town staff went down to pick him up. At the time of his ascension to groundhog royalty he was believed to be about a year old.

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Handler Gord Glover, who brought Willie to the stage on Thursday, said the groundhog is a natural in his new role. He appeared to be wondering what all the fuss was about as he was placed in front of the cheering crowd and bright lights of the cameras.

“He has settled in just fantastic,” Glover said. “It is just a home away from home and he is very calm and relaxed.

“We are really enjoying our time together and he is turning into a weather leader.”

Spectators watch fireworks during Willie’s prediction morning on February 2, 2023 in Wiarton, Ontario. (Rob Gowan photo)

Prediction morning kicked off at 7 a.m. on Thursday with fireworks over Colpoy’s Bay. After entertainment that included the Hepworth school choir singing O Canada, the Georgian Bay Cheer athletics team, and some Willie trivia with master of ceremonies Rick Campanelli, it was soon Willie’s time to shine.

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A very unofficial poll of the crowd, conducted by Campanelli by asking them if they would prefer six more weeks of winter or an early spring, appeared to tilt in favour of more winter.

Led by the shadow cabinet of local dignitaries and a pipe band, Willie was carried by Glover to the edge of the stage in his clear plexiglass box, which also contained a nice bed of straw and a couple of corn cobs to nibble on.

After some presentations and speeches, the groundhog was gently placed on the podium in the middle of the stage.

Town criers Bruce Kruger and grandson MacGregor Tannahill – who had just been presented with the Mac McKenzie Award for their commitment to the event – conducted the annual Wake Up Willie ceremony.

Town criers MacGregor Tannahill and his grandfather Bruce Kruger wake up Willie for his prediction on February 2, 2023 in Wiarton, Ontario. (Rob Gowan photo) Photo by Rob Gowan The Sun Times

As the clock struck 8:07 a.m. the announcement was made. Despite the disappointment of some, mostly cheers were heard from those in attendance.

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One of those who was in favour of an early spring prediction was Carly Marshall of Allenford, who was holding a sign that said “Happy Willie Day” in bright pink letters.

“We come all the time. I have loved Willie since I was a little girl,” Marshall said. “I just love that everybody gets together and we all get to celebrate.

“There is not much warm going on in February so we get together and think about spring. We want spring.”

Marshall said that even though the winter had been quite mild – aside from a couple of storms – she was ready for warmer days ahead.

“I am ready for spring. It can happen,” she said.

From left, Chloe Nicol, Lauriann Wilson, Carly Marshall and James Nicol of Allenford take part in Willie’s prediction morning on February 2, 2023 in Wiarton, Ontario. (Rob Gowan photo) Photo by Rob Gowan The Sun Times

The story of how Willie came to be is well-known in the area. The festival was founded by Mac McKenzie in 1956 when he when he decided to throw a mid-winter party at a local tavern with some friends. McKenzie tossed his wife’s fur hat into the snow and declared the start of the Wiarton Willie festival.

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Over the years, several groundhogs have taken on the important title of Willie.

It is hoped the latest one will bring some stability to the role after mystery beset the festival in 2021. That year, with the world in the midst of the pandemic, a video posted online featured former Mayor Janice Jackson announcing there would be an early spring as she tossed a woman’s fur hat in the snow, an obvious tribute to McKenzie.

After rumours ran rampant, in late 2021 the town confirmed that Willie had passed away prior to his prediction. It was also announced at that time that another albino had not yet been found and the “big brown understudy” would be performing the role of prognosticator on Groundhog Day 2022.

On Thursday, Brampton city councillor Paul Vicente was taking in the festivities along with his family – wife Onorina Funari-Vicente and their children Angela, 17, and Alesandro, 11. Their daughter Juliana couldn’t attend because she was away at university, but was livestreaming the event.

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Vicente, whose family started coming to the event a decade ago, said they decided to attend because Onorina, a teacher, had been teaching the lore of Wiarton Willie to her students.

“Many years back we started coming here and ever since whenever we can we come up on Groundhog Day to experience Willie’s prediction,” said Vicente. “We live in Brampton, and of course we love living in Brampton, but on February 2 we love Wiarton.”

Vicente said they enjoy everything about the event, from the high snowbanks that are common this time of year to the friendly people.

“Just the excitement that surrounds this event is so special,” Vicente said. “We just love tradition and we get a kick out of it.”

While Thursday’s prediction was the main event, the celebrations are not over. The town of Wiarton will continue to mark the time of year with a festival in and around Bluewater Park on Saturday. Events run from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Among the attractions are a trackless train, axe throwing, video games, foosball, basketball, boom blasters and a skating rink.

Area service clubs, businesses and organizations are also in on the act, offering a variety of events, from a bid euchre tournament at the Propeller Club, to a children’s matinee movie at Frank Street United Church, a chili chowdown at the Masonic Lodge, and a pool tournament at Lloyd’s Smoke Shop.

There is a vendor and crafters market at the Propeller Club, a hockey tournament at the arena, and dances in the evening at both locations.

A full lineup of events and details are available on the Wiarton Willie Festival page at southbrucepeninsula.com

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