Six more weeks of winter, or an early spring?
It’s the million-dollar question asked across North America every year on Feb. 2, in recognition of Groundhog Day.
Penticton doesn’t have a groundhog but it does have Kevin, the city’s famous broken-wing Canada goose.
That’s why in February 2022, the Western News decided that the popular resident of Okanagan Beach would make a perfect ambassador for the holiday.
And two years later, in 2024, Kevin still wants to have his say in the matter.
By the shores of Okanagan Lake on Friday, Feb. 2, Kevin did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring.
Vernon-based stuffed groundhog Okanagan Okie also predicted an early spring on a foggy Friday morning.
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Kevin, meanwhile, solidified his celebrity status in Penticton when he took on the role of local weather-bird in 2022.
Folklore that spans more than 100 years says that if a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, it will retreat, predicting six more weeks of winter.
Punxsutawney Phil, who is widely regarded as North America’s most famous groundhog, also predicted an early spring on Friday morning from his home of Punxsutawney, PA, about 128 kilometres northeast of Pittsburgh.