The movie “Groundhog Day” from 1993, starring comedian Bill Murray, made the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania famous worldwide. While winter in Western Europe is normally finished by 2 February, in Canada it is usually still cold and snowy well past that date. Tu B’Shevat is known as the “New Year for Trees”, is a Jewish festival that marks the start of a new cycle for the tithe on fruit trees. $1.50 shipping. In some cultures, it was known as Old Moon, Ice Moon, Snow Moon, and the Moon after Yule. ... ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 59. Every February 2nd, the United States and Canada celebrate Groundhog Day to check up on Punxsutawney Phil and see whether he saw his shadow this year. The phenomenon was immortalized in the American film Groundhog Day, which features Bill Murray as an arrogant meteorologist who is forced to live out the same day for the rest of his life. The Groundhog Day ritual may have something to do with Feb. 2 landing midway between winter solstice and spring equinox, but no one knows for sure. It falls on Sunday, February 2, 2020 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Canada. Some Christian churches also celebrate Candlemas on this day, while others use Groundhog Day to take down their Christmas decorations. Additionally, a relationship was established early on between the waking of hibernating animals (such as bears, otters and hedgehogs) and the end of winter (see animals in winter). Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accordingly, if it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, it goes back to sleep for six more weeks of winter. Feb. 2nd, 2020. By Radio Canada International | english@rcinet.ca Posted: Friday, February 2, 2018 09:23 Last Updated: Friday, February 2, 2018 10:34 The groundhog attracts media attention on Groundhog Day in Canada. The origins of Groundhog Day date back to medieval Europe. However, Canadian meteorological data prove that the groundhogs’ success rate is quite low. In. As winter food stores got low, the first European settlers hoped that spring would arrive early so they could sow earlier and therefore harvest earlier. The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. Phillips, D.,, & Bonikowsky, L., Groundhog Day in Canada (2017). In Canada, Wiarton Willie — an albino rodent from Wiarton, Ontario, on the Bruce Peninsula (see Georgian Bay) — is the most famous groundhog and has been predicting the weather since 1956. Today, the town hosts a week-long festival, in which all eyes are on the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Meteorological data from 13 Canadian cities over the past 30 to 40 years indicate that there have been an equal number of sunny and cloudy days on 2 February. Every year Canada celebrates Groundhog Day on February 2 208 likes. Groundhog Day in Canada. . It is the site of the annual Groundhog Day celebration and where Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction every February 2nd. Groundhog Day Celebrations in Canada. In, Phillips, David, and Laura Neilson Bonikowsky, "Groundhog Day in Canada". However, there is a kernel of truth to the shadow aspect of the legend. If he doesn't, spring is just around the corner. https://www.patreon.com/homeschoolpop Learn all about Groundhog Day in this video for kids! 79. Groundhog Day is also known as Daks Day in Nova Scotia, Canada. Birthday Groundhog Day 2020 Woodchuck Groundhog Lovers Gift Premium T-Shirt. However, Canadian meteorological data prove that the groundhogs’ success rate is quite low. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way. The January Full Moon is named after howling wolves. Given that 33 per cent accuracy can occur by chance, a score of 37 per cent is not considered significant. Groundhog Day in Canada focuses on the concept of a groundhog coming out of its home in mid-winter to “predict” if spring is on its way in the northern hemisphere. Credit: Shubenacadie Wildlife Park. Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the part of Europe where Germany is today, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. Groundhog Day in Nova Scotia. Other groundhogs across Canada play meteorologist as well, including Balzac Billy in Alberta, Brandon Bob and Winnipeg Willow in Manitoba, Gary the Groundhog (Kleinburg) and Oil Springs Ollie in Ontario, Fred la marmotte (Val d’Espoir) in Québec, and Two Rivers Tunnel (Cape Breton Island) and Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia. If it is frightened by its shadow, the groundhog will return to the burrow for 6 … Living on the east coast, Sam is the first rodent to make a prediction in Canada on Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer and mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over. Since 2014, also has its own furry meteorologist, Dundas Donna, a South American coati (. Winter has been in high gear for the first month of 2020 across much of Canada, and that has many Canadians asking an age-old question: The folksy, mid-winter tradition known as Groundhog Day has begun with one of Canada's best known shadow-casting critters signalling a long cold winter ahead. Businesses have normal opening hours. Even North American regions without mascots celebrate Groundhog Day. Wiarton’s Groundhog Day festival grew as Willie’s fame increased. We diligently research and continuously update our holiday dates and information. The folksy, mid-winter tradition known as Groundhog Day saw Canada’s best-known shadow-casting critters divided in their weather predictions on Sunday. Morning Groundhog Funny Mother's Day Card. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887. Excess flour was used to make crepes, a symbol of prosperity for the coming year. 5.0 out of 5 stars 3. Groundhog Day 2020: The results are in, but the vote isn't unanimous . There is a festival in Wiarton, Bruce County, Ontario, where the town groundhog, Wiarton Willie, delivers his “prediction” early in the morning on February 2 every year. FREE Shipping. Groundhog Day is just one of those crazy holidays that everybody can have fun with...Happy Groundhog Day to you, too! Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States every year on 2 February. Signing up enhances your TCE experience with the ability to save items to your personal reading list, and access the interactive map. © Time and Date AS 1995–2020. When is Groundhog Day shown on a calendar. Groundhog Day definition: (in the US and Canada ) February 2nd, when, according to tradition , the groundhog... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Privacy & Terms. For example, Shubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in the country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day. Historic snowfall. Thousands of visitors come to Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day as well as throughout the rest of the year. The day of 2 February corresponds with Candlemas, a Christian festival (see religious festivals) during which candles are lit, hence the celebration’s name. Shubenacadie Sam lives in Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park and does not hibernate during the winter in order to put on a better show for tourists. It became one of the largest winter festivals in Bruce County, Canada. The entrances to groundhogs’ burrows are also usually covered in thick layers of snow and ice in early February. More, The unofficial holiday is dedicated to the four-stringed musical instrument that originated in Hawaii. Approximately 10 communities in Canada keep up this tradition today, attracting the attention of tourists and media alike. Groundhog Day is considered a traditional national holiday in Canada and the … Many Canadians celebrate Groundhog Day. There are also other groundhogs in different parts of Canada. The film's plot added new meaning to the term “… Shubenacadie Sam is one of the most famous of Canadian groundhogs. He lives in a house in Bluewater Park, safe from predators, and the town of Wiarton cares for him year-round. Didn’t see his shadow—spring’s on the way. In fact, many old proverbs draw links between the length of winter and the weather conditions that occur on this particular date. According to American folk tradition, February 2 nd is the day designated for the groundhog to awake from its hibernation and venture outside. However, since it is unlikely that Wiarton Willie would come out of his burrow on his own before early to mid-March (six to eight weeks after 2 February), he is awakened from hibernation to make his prediction. Day of the Crêpe is a uniquely French holiday that accompanies the Catholic holiday of Candlemas. Shubenacadie Sam lives in Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park and does not hibernate during the winter in order to put on a better show for tourists. The folksy, mid-winter tradition known as Groundhog Day saw Canada’s best-known shadow-casting critters divided in their weather predictions on Sunday. Groundhog Day organizers maintain that the rodents’ predictions are accurate 75 to 90 per cent of the time. The celebration also falls halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Phillips, David, and Laura Neilson Bonikowsky . Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. Shubenacadie Sam, the Prognosticating Groundhog maybe Nova Scotia’s most famous groundhog. Since weather conditions often last several days, those on 2 February could continue to last for a few days (although not necessarily much longer than that). In Scotland, there was an old saying that “If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, There’ll be twa [two] winters in the year.” In England, an old song elaborates on this idea: “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight. He was called Br'er Groundhog prior to being known as Phil. At the beginning of February, during the grayest doldrums of late winter, the noble groundhog takes its place in the national spotlight. Like Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willie is not a wild groundhog. Other groundhogs include: Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba and Balzac Billy in Alberta. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. Blame it on the weatherman If you text ‘‘Groundhog’’ to 247365, Punxsutawney Phil will reply with his weather prediction. Over time, Groundhog Day has become a fun way to anticipate the coming of spring. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. According to European beliefs, spring’s arrival could be predicted based on the awakening of such animals. In the US, the most famous such prognostication is held at Punxsutawney town (pronounced “punks-uh-taw-nee”) in Pennsylvania state. Other groundhogs across Canada play meteorologist as well, including Balzac Billy in, ) and Oil Springs Ollie in Ontario, Fred la marmotte (Val d’Espoir) in. Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the United States in the 1800s. Groundhog Day is not a public holiday. In the United States the most popular event occurs in Pennsylvania and centers on a groundhog designated Punxsutawney Phil. More. It appears that European settlers (particularly Germans) brought this belief with them to North America and relied on the marmot, one of the most widespread hibernating animals, to predict whether prolonged winter conditions or spring warming lay in store. Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on January 31, 2013: I remember this hub and had to come back and re-visit it and share it.. However, the groundhog emerges from hibernation later than the European hedgehog, and it is much less likely to stir, even on warm winter days. If the groundhog sees its shadow, then winter will be prolonged by six more weeks. Groundhog DayCheck out Canada's furriest weather forecaster. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day, as well as other places throughout the world. However, the groundhogs’ predictions were incorrect about two thirds of those years, either because they were the opposite of what they should have been, or because winter persisted naturally. Meteorological data from 13 Canadian cities over the past 30 to 40 years indicate that there have been an equal number of sunny and cloudy days on 2 February. $12.59 $ 12. ... Toronto, ON Canada… Canada and US Flavor Groundhog Day Postcard Set Birthday Mailing Thanks Greeting Card. Legend has it that watching a groundhog emerge from its burrow can determine the weather forecast for the coming weeks. Canadaalso celebrates Groundhog Day. On Sunday, (February 2), the US and Canada marked Groundhog Day, an annual tradition in which a groundhog predicts whether winter will continue or give way to spring soon. Groundhog day also falls halfway between the winter solstice or longest night of the year, and the spring equinox, which is when day and night are the same lengths. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. If the weather is cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow, it stays outside, meaning that the worst of winter is over and spring will soon arrive. Toll-free (Canada … A roundup of the 2020 Groundhog Day results from across Canada and the United States. Since the 5th century, 2 February has been used to mark the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple 40 days after his birth, a date that was chosen in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Wiarton Willie. Groundhog Day is not a public holiday in Canada. In winter, sunny days are usually associated with Arctic air, which is colder and drier, while cloudy days are associated with coastal air, which is milder and more humid. During this period, the groundhogs’ predictions were correct only 37 per cent of the time, meaning that winters remained cold for several weeks after the groundhog saw its shadow on 2 February, or that temperatures became much milder than usual if that day was too cloudy for a shadow to be seen. Canadian winters are much longer and more intense than those in Europe. It dates back to pagan times, when farmers would purify their land by carrying torches in procession before sowing time. Supposedly, if the Pennsylvanian groundhog sees his shadow, North America can expect six more weeks of winter. Groundhog Day organizers maintain that the rodents’ predictions are accurate 75 to 90 per cent of the time. See also Meteorology; Weather Observations. Canada. Tradition claims that on February 2nd the groundhog will poke its head out of its burrow. The movie “Groundhog Day” from 1993, starring comedian Bill Murray, made Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania famous worldwide. See how this holiday started and what it all means! The film's plot added new meaning to “Groundhog Day” as something that repeats itself endlessly. The Groundhog Day concept first became popular in Canada in 1956 when Wiarton Willie became a household name for his early February weather predictions. The Groundhog Day ritual may have something to do with Feb. 2 landing midway between winter solstice and spring equinox, but no one knows for sure. It’s Groundhog Day in Canada. Some Native American tribes named this the Hunger Moon, others called it the Storm Moon. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again.”. Phillips, David and Laura Neilson Bonikowsky. On Groundhog Day, Canada's Wiarton Willie Called Early Spring, Shubenacadie Sam Says More Winter But Punxsutawney Phil could be the tiebreaker. Balzac, Alberta. The folksy, mid-winter tradition known as Groundhog Day saw Canada's best-known shadow-casting critters divided in their weather predictions on Sunday. Record-smashing cold. The trail is ½ Mile in length with informational and educational signage as well as Metal Art Displays. Groundhog Day: History, Top Tweets in Canada, 2021 date, Fun Facts, Quotes, and things to do. Groundhog Day is growing more and more popular in Canada. Balzac Billy. Chinese New Year marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. "Groundhog Day in Canada". Since 2014, Toronto also has its own furry meteorologist, Dundas Donna, a South American coati (Nasua nasua). A roundup of the 2020 Groundhog Day results from across Canada and the United States. Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day ) is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. In North America, the tradition of predicting the weather by watching groundhogs come out of their burrows dates back to 1887 and is attributed to German settlers in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. During this period, the groundhogs’ predictions were correct only 37 per cent of the time, meaning that winters remained cold for several weeks after th… Groundhog Day is not a public holiday. If you find a mistake, please let us know. The event attracts thousands of curious onlookers, and is followed by activities including a parade, hockey and curling tournaments, dances, and even a pancake breakfast as celebrants of Candlemas would have done. However, areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns where Groundhog Day events are popular. 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