Nova Scotians once again invited to spend Groundhog Day with Shubenacadie Sam

Nova Scotians are once again being invited out to Shubenacadie Wildlife Park for Groundhog Day.

Following a few years of virtual ceremonies, this year we can either watch Shubenacadie Sam make their annual prediction in-person or online through the park's Facebook page.

The well-known rodent is scheduled to emerge from their burrow at 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 2.

According to folklore, if Sam sees their shadow, we get six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will come early.

“This is a bit of annual mid-winter fun for everyone to enjoy the old folklore tradition by coming out in person to see the groundhog appear or by watching online,” said Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton in a news release. 

“Sam is just one example of the many interesting animals native to Nova Scotia that families can enjoy and learn about at our provincial wildlife park.”

Sam lives at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park,  which is usually only open on weekends during winter from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but on Thursday visitors can head there from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

The park will also be marking World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2.

And Shubenacadie Sam isn't Nova Scotia's only pet prognosticator. 

Lucy the Lobster is also planning an in-person “shellabration” this year.

The Barrington Passage-based crustacean will crawl out of the Atlantic Ocean at 8 a.m. Thursday to deliver her prediction on how long winter will last.