FEBRUARY 2- GROUND HOG DAY IN CANADA AND US

Ontario has its Wiatron Willie. Other parts of North America have their little ground hogs that are supposed to predict how close Spring will be.

Wiarton is a sweet, quaint and historic town in Bruce County.

Lovely old houses.

On the water of a bay of Lake Huron.

Monument to Willie.

An old Fire Engine in town.

I just love these old homes with the lattice trim.

A sunset in the area near Georgian Bay.
Lots to see and do with The Georgian Bluffs and The Bruce Trail
For today everyone is wondering if Willie will see his shadow.
#WiartonWillie#WiartonOntario#seeinghisshadow#historichomes#abeautifulpartofOntaro#beenthereacoupleoftimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

GROUND HOG DAY IN CANADA 2016

Every February 2, the tradition of the ground hog seeing his shadow or not means how quickly Spring will be coming.

In Ontario, up on the Bruce Peninsula is the town of Wiarton where the friendly groundhog is Willie.

Other places across Canada- Nova Scotia has Shubenacadie, Manitoba has Winnipeg Willow or Manitoba Merv and Alberta has Balzak Bill. The tradition says if cloudy there will be no shadow for the groundhog and an early Spring. If very sunny and he sees his shadow then 6 more weeks of winter. Of course the big event in the US is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where our Willie competes with Punxsutawney Phil. Some think it is a silly tradition where the referee dresses in formal wear to help the groundhog with the prediction. I just think it is fun and another excuse to fight the winter doldrums. I have written other posts each year on this special event. So if I see my shadow does it mean anything?

GROUND HOG DAY IN CANADA

There are several locations in Canada where towns celebrate the ritual of a little ground hog trying to see his or her shadow. Here in Ontario, Wiarton in the Bruce Pennisula  has that honour.

Wiarton Willie as he is known actually has been several different ground hogs over the years. On February 2 each year people wait by his hole in the ground in the caged area in town. If he sees his shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If not, an early Spring. I usually smile at this occurrence. Regardless there is usually lots of winter left. So in Nova Scotia-Shubenacadie Sam, Manitoba-Winnipeg Willow or Manitoba Merv, and Alberta- Balzak Bill, these other ground hogs will be predicting the arrival of Spring! Down in Pennsylvania- Punxsutawney Phil- that  American  will have his say too!

GROUND HOG DAY CANADIAN STYLE

In Ontario it is Wiarton Willie. Manitoba and Alberta have their own little ground hog that tries to predict how much longer winter will last. This year is deceiving since it has been quite unseasonally warm weather.

One wonders how the traditon really originated. Were people just bored with winter?

Regardless, whether he sees his shadow or not, there will probably be 6 more weeks of winter. For those of you reading from outside Canada, Wiarton is north-west of Toronto. A pretty country town on the Bruce Pennisula. If in Canada, go visit, especially like our friends who have a cottage there sailing is prolific.So bring your sailboat! There is  a good harbour for calm sailing. Do you think the Canadian groundhogs will see their shadow? Wonder what the one in Pennsylvannia will see?