Shubenacadie Sam
Encyclopedia
Shubenacadie Sam is a famous Canadian
groundhog
who lives at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park in the town of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
. Every February 2, on Groundhog Day
, Sam's shadow is closely observed at sunrise to make the traditional prediction whether there will be an early spring
. Due to Nova Scotia's easterly timezone, Sam makes the first Groundhog Day prediction in North America (along with his Cape Breton
groundhog cousin "Two Rivers Tunnel" at the Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Mira River, Nova Scotia.) The prediction ceremony is heralded by a bagpiper and town crier
and draws an early-morning festive crowd of families and visitors. 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 is one of several towns throughout North America known for their winter-predicting groundhogs. The most famous is Punxsutawney Phil
of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (star of the movie Groundhog Day
). The most famous Canadian is Wiarton Willie
. There is also "Brandon Bob" of Brandon, Manitoba
, "Staten Island Chuck
" in New York, "Balzac Billy
" in Alberta, "General Beauregard Lee
" in Lilburn, Georgia, Two Rivers Tunnel in Cape Breton
and "Gary the Groundhog" in Kleinburg, Ontario
, among many others.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
groundhog
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...
who lives at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park in the town of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
Shubenacadie is a community located in Hants County, in central Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2006, the population was 2,074.In the Micmac language, Shubenacadie means "abounding in ground nuts" or "place where the red potato Shubenacadie (['ʃuːbə'nækədiː]) is a community located in Hants County, in...
. Every February 2, 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...
, Sam's shadow is closely observed at sunrise to make the traditional prediction whether there will be an early spring
Spring (season)
Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and...
. Due to Nova Scotia's easterly timezone, Sam makes the first Groundhog Day prediction in North America (along with his Cape Breton
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Regional Municipality often shortened to simply CBRM, is a regional municipality in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton County.According to the 2006 Census of Canada, the population within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is 102,250...
groundhog cousin "Two Rivers Tunnel" at the Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Mira River, Nova Scotia.) The prediction ceremony is heralded by a bagpiper and town crier
Town crier
A town crier, or bellman, is an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court . The crier can also be used to make public announcements in the streets...
and draws an early-morning festive crowd of families and visitors. 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 is one of several towns throughout North America known for their winter-predicting groundhogs. The most famous is Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney 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...
of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (star of the movie Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day (film)
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin....
). The most famous Canadian is Wiarton Willie
Wiarton Willie
Wiarton 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...
. There is also "Brandon Bob" of Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, "Staten Island Chuck
Staten Island Chuck
Staten 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...
" in New York, "Balzac Billy
Balzac Billy
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....
" in Alberta, "General Beauregard Lee
General Beauregard Lee
General 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...
" in Lilburn, Georgia, Two Rivers Tunnel in Cape Breton
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Regional Municipality often shortened to simply CBRM, is a regional municipality in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton County.According to the 2006 Census of Canada, the population within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is 102,250...
and "Gary the Groundhog" in Kleinburg, Ontario
Kleinburg, Ontario
-External links:* * *...
, among many others.
See also
- 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...
- 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...
- Balzac BillyBalzac BillyBalzac 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....
- 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...
- 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...