On February 2nd, 2021, the famous albino weather prognosticator, Wiarton Willie, will make his annual forecast for an early or late Spring. This year, however, there will not be the throngs of people who gather each year to take in the annual. Festival. Instead, Wiarton Willie, will be going virtual.
The Wiarton Willie Festival is a celebration for the town of Wiarton that brings in thousands of tourists and, therefore, the cancellation of the Festival is also an economic blow to the community, particularly in what would have been a banner year.
Mayor Janice Jackson says that the entire community has had to pivot. “We are moving to a virtual celebration that will be on many media platforms and Willie will still be making his forecast at 8:07 a.m. on February 2nd as he always does.”
Willie’s 2021 prediction will be live-streamed from Wiarton for people to enjoy from the comfort of their homes but all other festival events have been cancelled due to Covid-19 regulations.
Mayor Jackson, who is the official interpreter of Willie’s ‘groundhogeze’, says that “… everyone is hoping for an early spring this year so let’s hope Willie’s prediction supports that.”