Groundhog Day will be very different this year.
Wiarton Willie will still make his famous prognostication of an early spring or a longer winter, but he won’t be doing it on a stage in front of a big crowd.
Mayor Janice Jackson says, due to pandemic related restrictions, the festival will be held virtually this year, “We’re putting together something for prediction morning, there will be a prediction there just won’t be a public one.”
Jackson says it’s a big milestone for Williefest, which is now in its 65th year, “We’re going to take the opportunity to celebrate the history of Willie,” says Jackson, noting, “I think it’s going to be a fun prediction morning and I hope everybody tunes in to their favourite morning newscast or online.”
Jackson notes you’ll be able to watch the prediction on the Town’s Facebook page, “Even though all the television stations won’t be coming up here we’re expecting they’ll still broadcast it along with Punxsutawney Phil and Shubenacadie Sam,” she adds.
Jackson notes she gets calls from news and entertainment outlets all over the country on prediction morning, “Right across to Vancouver, I get radio stations that want to talk about Willie. Willie’s pretty famous and we’re pretty proud of him.”
Jackson says the cancellation of such a beloved public event is unfortunate, but necessary, “It takes months and months to put that festival together and so many sponsors are involved, so we had to make a decision fairly swiftly.”
She notes there are a number of community organizations that normally hold Willie festival activities that are cancelled, like the Wiarton & District Lion’s Club’s casino night, hockey tournament and dance. And while Jackson says there won’t be any public gatherings, the event will be, “All over social media,” and local news.
The prediction is set for February 2nd at 8:07 a.m.