Wiarton Willie

South Bruce Peninsula is home to Canada's most famous weather prognosticating groundhog Wiarton Willie!

Each year on Feb 2nd people from around the world eagerly await to see if Wiarton Willie will see his shadow indicating 6 more weeks of winter, or not see his shadow, predicting an early spring.

2021 Wiarton Willie Platinum Sponsor

Prediction morning February 2nd

Predication morning is a free family friendly event!

Start your morning with breakfast at 6:30 am at the Wiarton Arena then "Wake up Willie" at the spectacular fireworks display at 7am in Bluewater Park.

Music and entertainment begin at 7:10 am at the main stage located in the parking lot of the Wiarton Area. At 8:07 am Willie will make his official prediction, all event listing can be found in the festival program.

Festival events

If you are hosting an event during the Wiarton Willie Festival Weekend and you would like to be included on our website or in the program please fill out the application and return it to Town Hall.

Festival sponsors

History and past predictions

How it all began

Wiarton has been celebrating the Wiarton Willie Festival for over 64 years. The event began with Mac McKenzie who wanted to have a party for a hundred of his closest friends. He sent out a press release inviting them to Wiarton for Groundhog Day to break the winter doldrums and have a little fun. The media got a hold of the story and a lone reporter came out to see what was going on. After making inquiries all over town, he was directed to the local 'establishment', where sure enough, Mac and his buds were raising an elbow or two. When Mac was asked "where is the groundhog?" he threw a fur hat into the snow. The reporter took advantage of the photo op and the rest they say is history.

The legend

Legend has it that three wise groundhogs, Grundoon, Muldoon and Sand Dune broke hibernation to tell Mac of the birth of a white groundhog who would forever alter the world of weather prognostication. The white groundhog would be known for his uncanny ability to correctly predict the timing of spring and he would emerge each February 2nd to announce his prediction to those who spoke Groundhogese.

These prognostications brought locals and visitors from near and far, soon turning into an annual festival. As Willie's fame has grown, so has the Festival which has matured to become the largest winter festival in Bruce County.

The Shadow Cabinet

Willie's position as the premier prognosticator brought more fame to the Town and soon Town Fathers realized their icon needed a proper entourage and the "Shadow Cabinet" was created. The Mayor of the Land and of the Marmot, (the only person who can speak Groundhogese); Minister of Inter-Burrow Affairs, (to manage the political affairs); Minister of Hogwash and Hot Air, (to handle the media); Minister of Marmot Management, (to ensure the 'home front' is in good order); Director of Business, Buttons and Bows, (to ensure we are well decorated); Director of Surf, Sand and Fun, (to make sure there are lots of great activities to enjoy) and of course Mother Nature to make it all go well.

Where does Willie live?

You can visit Wiarton Willie from May until September in his home in Bluewater Park.

Willie's Statue

Willie became so famous that in 1995 a statue made from stone donated by Adair Quarry and sculpting donated by Dave Robinson. A beautiful white limestone statue called "Willie Emerging" was unveiled in Bluewater Park on February 3, 1996 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wiarton Willie prognostications.. The statue located in Bluewater Park in Wiarton is a perfect opportunity for a photo op. The statue is a 'must see' for most tourists visiting the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

Photo of Wiarton Willie Statue

The Wiarton Willie statue started out as a single piece of dolomite limestone weighing approximately 7 tonnes. The stone donated Arriscraft Corporation/Adair Quarry in Hope Bay, 20 kms north of Wiarton. Arriscraft Corporation has provided stone for buildings such as Canada's Embassy in Washington, the locks of the Rideau Canal and the Peacekeeper Monument in Ottawa.

Dave Robinson, an artist from the area, apprenticed in marble carving in Carrera Italy and has several works on display in Toronto and Ottawa. Robinson donated his time and talent to sculpt the image of the weather-forecasting groundhog. Robinson began the work in the summer of 1995. The statue is statue life-like and natural looking with some minimal stylization. Robinson left the statue roughly carved so the crystals in the stone help to keep the look close to that of the albino groundhog. The completed statue weighs approximately 4.5 tonnes.

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