Nova Scotians are invited to celebrate Groundhog Day with Shubenacadie Sam on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 8 a.m. as Sam makes his annual spring forecasting prediction from his home at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park.
Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines will join fans gathered to see if Sam will see his shadow.
“Nova Scotia’s geographical location allows Sam to make his prediction an hour before his fellow famous groundhogs in Ontario and the United States check for their shadows, so you’ll hear it first from Sam,” said Mr. Hines. “Sam’s prediction party will feature family activities, displays and hot drinks, so I invite Nova Scotians to join us at the wildlife park on Groundhog Day.”
Folklore says if Sam sees his shadow, winter will last for six more weeks. No shadow is a sign of an early spring.
Those attending the Groundhog Day forecasting festivities can enter the park at 7 a.m. There will be free hot drinks, fun activities and displays. There will be no admission fee to see the animals.
Along with Groundhog Day, Feb. 2 is also World Wetlands Day. Together, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Wildlife Park are hosting environmental partners and students for a morning of hands-on wetland education. Visitors can drop in to the Wetland Centre to get inspired by environmental experts from groups including the Clean Foundation, the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Maritime Aboriginal Aquatic Resources Secretariat, the Nova Scotia Bird Society, and the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
If you are unable to attend the festivities, you can watch Sam’s prediction live at www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/shubenacadie-sam/. Sam is also on Twitter @ShubenacadieSam.
During the winter, the park is open only on weekends. For Groundhog Day, the park will be open until 1 p.m. Directions to the park and park hours are online at http://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/find_us.asp.
Source: Release