Groundhog Day, traditionally celebrated on February 2 (around the midpoint of winter) just occurred! Here I’ll attempt to sum up the verdict, and the events surrounding this traditionally baffling festivity.
For those who are still unfamiliar, Groundhog Day is the day in which the groundhogs of several North American cities are watched as they exit the holes in which they burrow. If the rodent sees its shadow, it’s an indication of six more weeks of winter until spring. If it doesn’t see its shadow, then there will be an early spring. Obviously a highly scientific process. They generally are not very accurate: Punxsuntawney Phil (the American groundhog) predicts at a 39% accuracy rate. Canada’s groundhogs (there are a few) sit at around 37%.
This year, tragedy struck the groundhog community, especially that around which the Winnipeg festivities revolve. Winnipeg Willow of Manitoba passed away a mere day before Groundhog Day 2016. Festivities there were subsequently cancelled in mourning, as the staff of the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre had “tears coming down [their] faces.”
The three prominent remaining Canadian groundhogs, including Wiarton Willie of Ontario, Shubenacadie Sam of Nova Scotia, and Balzac Bill of Alberta, had differing opinions. Ontario’s predicted six more weeks of winter, while the others predicted an early spring. It’s unclear if the 2/3 prediction would hold true for all of Canada, or if Wiarton Willie was wrong. It HAS been pretty warm lately, after all… Two thirds of the US’s nine other groundhogs also ended up with the early spring prediction, so those who prefer warmer weather can hope for the best. Assuming they’re right.
No matter the scientific validity of such a celebration, it’s a tradition and a rather amusing one too. This year, there was a death and there was controversy, spicing up the usual affairs. We’ll see exactly who was right in the days to come.
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