Fred la Marmotte, the Quebec rodent whose job it was to predict whether spring would arrive early, died the day before Groundhog Day.
“This year, it’s true. Unfortunately it’s true,” Jour de Marmotte committee organizer Roberto Blondin said on the event’s live stream. “I am announcing the death of Fred.”
Blondin said the nine-year-old groundhog didn’t wake up when organizers went to check last night.
The event continued in Val d’Espoir, Que., near Perce on the Gaspe Peninsula, however, with a boy chosen to replace Fred and make the annual prediction.
Blondin took a stuffed groundhog out of Fred’s log cabin and gave it to a boy who decided if spring would come soon.
“Spring is delayed,” the boy announced.
Blondin said next year Fred Junior would be back.
CONFLICTING FORECASTS OF THE MARMOTE
Other weather-predicting marmots made the same prediction as the boy holding the sausage in Quebec, but not all of them.
It’s that time of year again, where you can be seen with some rodents and, in some cases, other creatures to take over the weather. According to Fred the Groundhog and Shubenacadie Sam, we’re six more weeks into winter! #GroundhogDay2023 pic.twitter.com/P1RH9rwgzd
— CTV Your Morning (@YourMorning) February 2, 2023
In Nova Scotia, Shubenacadie Sam saw his shadow in Halifax and called for a late spring.
Iconic Pennsylvania celebrity and former Bill Murray co-star Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow.
Sorry people, I saw my shadow!!! I PREDICT 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!! #Groundhog Day
— Punxsutawney Phil (@PunxsatawnyPhil) February 2, 2023
In Ontario, however, Wiarton Willie called for an early spring after emerging from its Plexiglas box. South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Garry Michi made the announcement.