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Okanagan Okie springs for Groundhog Day weather prediction in Vernon

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is holding its inaugural Groundhog Day celebration Feb. 2
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Will Okanagan Okie see his shadow? Join the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for its inaugural Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2022 to find out. (Unsplash photo)

Will Okanagan Okie see his shadow on Groundhog Day? The valley’s furriest weather forecaster will soon give his answer at Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre.

The centre is bringing the classic Ground Hog Day celebration to the Okanagan with Okie the marmot set to emerge from his burrow at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2. As the old tradition goes, if he emerges and sees his shadow, winter will continue for another six weeks. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we’ll all enjoy an early spring.

Manager Cheryl Hood says that while the 1993 Bill Murray movie of the same name has forever immortalized Groundhog Day, there is no record of Groundhog Day celebrations taking place in B.C.

“Its time for new traditions and celebrations now more than ever before, and ABNC is eager to showcase one of our local furry friends, Okanagan Okie the yellow-bellied marmot.”

Okie is a marmot, but did you know that groundhogs are a type of marmot? Groundhogs and marmots hibernate in the winter, so they’re not usually seen until March or April. But Okie will nonetheless be ready to make his proclamation in early February.

The inaugural Groundhog Day Celebration on Feb. 2 will be followed by a bonfire and a hot chocolate after Okie makes his prediction.

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Brendan Shykora
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Brendan Shykora

About the Author: Brendan Shykora

I started as a carrier at the age of 8. In 2019 graduated from the Master of Journalism program at Carleton University.
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