Shubenacadie Sam is a famous Canadian groundhog who lives at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in the town of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Sam's shadow is closely observed at 08:00 AST to make the traditional prediction whether there will be an early spring. Due to Nova Scotia's Atlantic timezone, Sam makes the first Groundhog Day prediction in North America.
Contents
The prediction ceremony is heralded by a bagpiper and town crier and draws an early-morning festive crowd of families and visitors. He is also joined by his Cape Breton groundhog cousin "Two Rivers Tunnel" at the Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Mira River, Nova Scotia).
History
The Shubenacadie Sam tradition began about 1987 and differs from most other famous groundhogs as he is not woken from hibernation for Groundhog Day. Shubenacadie Sam most recently predicted an early spring at his appearance in February 2017. Park employee Carole Custance has been the caretaker for Shubenacadie Sam and the park's groundhogs for almost 17 years. She provides breakfast for the groundhog, usually yogurt and melon. Custance also reads to the groundhog who has been designated an advocate for Family Literacy Day. Shubenacadie Sam usually draws around 200 spectators for his prediction.
Background
While Shubenacadie offers the earliest prediction every year, it is one of many towns throughout North America known for their winter-predicting groundhogs. The most famous is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The most famous Canadian is Wiarton Willie. Sam shares the Nova Scotia prediction every year with "Two Rivers Tunnel" in Cape Breton. Other Canadian groundhogs include "Brandon Bob" of Brandon, Manitoba, and "Gary the Groundhog" in Kleinburg, Ontario.