Once again, hundreds gathered in Wiarton on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, to hear Wiarton Willie’s weather prognostication at precisely 8:07 a.m. For 70 years, Wiarton Willie has predicated whether or not Spring would arrive early.
Bruce Power was once again Platinum Sponsor of the 70th annual celebration. “This is a great family event,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Development Officer & Vice-president Operations, “an we have to thank the hundreds of volunteers here in Wiarton who make this event happen.”
Bruce County Warden, Luke Charbonneau, was part of the ‘Shadow Cabinet’ saying that, “We are here to celebrate our region and Wiarton’s number one weather prognosticator, the world famous Wiarton Willie, and the festival that brings positive attention to our community and our region. It’s absolutely fantastic and I want to thank everyone who makes it possible.”
Former MPP and Wiarton Willie emcee, Bill Walker, said that he knows the Warden and Mayor of Saugeen Shores is “…too humble to try to drag people away from Wiarton to the great municipality of Saugeen Shores, but people might want to go to the great new Pryde Aquatic Centre for a dip after all this.”
Wiarton Mayor Jay Kirkland said that people have to realize the kind of dollars and cents that Wiarton Willie brings into the town of Wiarton. “Willie makes a lot of things happen in this area. Hopefully, next year, we’ll be cutting the ribbon for the new municipal office and a new spot for Willie to make his announcement from. We are ready for development and ready for action. These crowds show us that it’s great to have a festival in the winter time.”
Mayor Kirkland, having studied to become fluent in ‘groudhogeze’, listened carefully as Wiarton Willie gave him the news. After discussion with his shadow cabinet, the Mayor announced to the waiting crowd that Willie had not seen his shadow and, therefore, … “it’s going to be an early Spring!”
