RIP Wiarton Willie: Spring prognosticator dies at 13

Wiarton Willie is dead.

The albino groundhogwhose annual weather prognostication is a national event and draws large crowds every Groundhog Day was 13 years old.

The Town of South Bruce Peninsula announced Wednesday that Willie lived three times longer than the average groundhog, which can normally expect to reach the age of four.

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According to folklore, when a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another six weeks. If the groundhog emerges from its burrow on a cloudy day, spring will come early.

A memorial service is planned forSaturday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m.inWiarton'sBluewaterPark"ingratitude for his many years of service," a news release said.

A funeral procession will then travel through the parkto a statue of Willie's likeness, where the albino groundhog will be honoured, according to the town.