It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our iconic prognosticating groundhog Wiarton Willie.
Willie was 13 years young and served our Town, Province and Country with immense pride each and every Groundhog Day. Willie also enjoyed meeting the thousands of guests that would visit him at his home in Bluewater Park during the summer months.
Most groundhogs in the wild live to be approximately 4 years old, with shorter lifespans typically for the albino variety, like Willie. Willie's daily care regiment coupled with living in a safe and protected environment allowed Willie to reach the ripe old age of thirteen .
In gratitude for his many years of service and to honour our world famous citizen, the Town of South Bruce Peninsula will host a Memorial Service for Willie on Saturday September 30, 2017 at 11am in Wiarton's Bluewater Park.
A funeral procession will travel through the Park where Willie will be honoured beside the statue in Willie's likeness. We invite our community and communities beyond to join us in appreciation and respect for the albino groundhog who put Wiarton on the map! Immediately following the ceremony, Willie's 2 year old understudy Wee Willie will assume the starring role representing Wiarton as North America's top prognosticator!
A memory book will be available at Town Hall for those who wish to share their memories of Wiarton Willie.
Long live Wiarton Willie!
