Balzac Billy
Encyclopedia
Balzac Billy, the "Prairie Prognosticator", is a "groundhog
" mascot who prognosticates weather on Groundhog Day
. He lives in Balzac, Alberta
, 8 km north of Calgary, Alberta.
According to the legend of Groundhog Day
, the groundhog's behavior is a way of forecasting the weather. If the groundhog pops out from its burrow, sees his shadow, and then disappears again, it will mean that winter is to continue for six more weeks. But if the groundhog does not see its shadow, then it will not be scared to come out of its burrow and winter will soon end. However, unlike other Groundhog Day mascots, Balzac Billy is a man in a costume.
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
" mascot who prognosticates weather on Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...
. He lives in Balzac, Alberta
Balzac, Alberta
Balzac is a hamlet in the southern portion of the Canadian province of Alberta, in Rocky View County. It is located immediately west of Queen Elizabeth II Highway, at the intersection with Highway 566, north of Calgary city centre and south of Airdrie....
, 8 km north of Calgary, Alberta.
According to the legend of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...
, the groundhog's behavior is a way of forecasting the weather. If the groundhog pops out from its burrow, sees his shadow, and then disappears again, it will mean that winter is to continue for six more weeks. But if the groundhog does not see its shadow, then it will not be scared to come out of its burrow and winter will soon end. However, unlike other Groundhog Day mascots, Balzac Billy is a man in a costume.
See also
- Buckeye ChuckBuckeye ChuckBuckeye Chuck, Ohio's official weather-predicting groundhog, resides in Marion, Ohio. He is one of two groundhogs in Ohio known for predicting the arrival of spring on Groundhog Day . A native of Ohio, Chuck began predicting the arrival of spring in the 1970s...
- Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney Phil is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2 of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food...
- General Beauregard LeeGeneral Beauregard LeeGeneral Beauregard Lee is a groundhog that resides at the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, Georgia just outside of Atlanta. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Georgia - "DWP, Doctor of Weather Prognostication" and Georgia State University - "Doctor of Southern...
- Staten Island ChuckStaten Island ChuckStaten Island Chuck, also referred to more formally as Charles G. Hogg, is a groundhog who resides in the Staten Island Zoo in Staten Island, New York in the United States. He is noted as the official groundhog meteorologist of New York City who predicts the duration of winter each February 2 on...
- Wiarton WillieWiarton WillieWiarton Willie is a famous albino Canadian groundhog who lived in the community of Wiarton in Bruce County, Ontario. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day, Willie took part in the local Wiarton Willie Festival. His role is to predict whether there will be an early spring...