Tired of winter weather? You had better hope a few of the world’s famous rodents don’t see their shadow. Today for Groundhog Day we will welcome the return of Wiarton Willie, Punxsutawney Phil, Melbourne Minnie, and locally Melbourne Minnie and Middlemiss Mike who legend has it, will determine whether we should bundle up for six more weeks of winter or prepare for an early spring.
Groundhog Day is rooted in the Christian holiday Candlemas, the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, with the first official Groundhog Day being held February 2nd, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day is not a federal holiday, so banks, mail and trash services, schools, grocery stores, local governments, and libraries will be open. But in places like Wingham Ontario, and of course Wiarton will see celebrations featuring talent shows, banquets and performances are held to commemorate the day.
Written by: C. Soares