Spring to arrive early says Wiarton Willie!

According to albino groundhog, Wiarton Willie, Spring will arrive early when he did not see his shadow.

Mayor Janice Jackson, who apparently is fluent in ‘groundhogeze’, made the announcement at the 63rd annual Wiarton Willie Festival today, Groundhog day February 2nd (2019) after listening to Willie and conferring with her ‘Shadow Cabinet’.

 

This year, Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a surprise visit to the Festival, where he joined ‘Shadow Cabinet’ members, Federal MP Larry Miller and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP and Minister of Government and Community Services, Bill Walker.

Hundreds of people gathered to hear Wiarton Willie’s prediction and, at the announcement of an early Spring, the crowd broke into a thunderous cheer.

(L) Premier Doug Ford, Federal PC Candidate Chad Richardson and                                    MPP/Minister Bill Walker

Once the prediction was made, Premier Ford and Minister Walker waded into the crowd, shaking hands and having numerous selfies and photos taken.

“I think the people in this area area great!” said Ford. “I am looking forward to coming up here in the summer.  This area has a great representative in Bill and he is always promoting the region.”

   (L) MPP/Minister Bill Walker and                       Federal MP Larry Miller

For MP Larry Miller, it was a bittersweet morning after having recently announced that he will be retiring from politics at the end of this term.  “This is my last official Wiarton Willie Festival,” said Miller, “but next year, I’ll still be here standing out here with the crowd.”

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