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Okanagan Okie bundles up after predicting an early spring at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre on Groundhog Day. L-R: Rebecca Barton from Beach Radio, the event's MC; Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon- Monashee MLA; and Cheryl Hood, ABNC manager. (Vernon Matters photo)
By Pete McIntyre
Groundhog Day

Okanagan Okie agrees with Canadian colleagues on early spring

Feb 2, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Canada’s weather forecasting rodents all seemed to agree that we can look forward to an early spring.

As part of Groundhog Day, Ontario’s Wiarton Willie, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam and Quebec’s Fred la Marmotte all did not see their shadows on Friday morning, which according to folklore means we should see an early end to winter, which in many areas, has already been much milder than normal.

Vernon’s Okanagan Okie sided with that consensus.

The yellow-bellied marmot mascot predicted an early spring at the third annual event held by the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.

Vernon mayor Victor Cumming with Okanagan Okie (Photo credit: Wayne Emde/Vernon Winter Carnival Society)
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Marmots are commonly seen in grassland areas around the valley, how they aren’t out of hibernation this time of year, so the nature centre uses a mascot for its Groundhog Day event.

Members of the Vernon Winter Carnival Society celebrate Groundhog Day with Rebecca Barton from Beach Radio (left) and Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu (centre). (Vernon Matters photo)

The ceremony at the nature centre was to have been live-streamed online, but that didn’t happen.

“We thank everyone who tuned in for Okie’s prediction of an EARLY SPRING this year! Apologies for the technical issues with our wifi in the grasslands today. The full video will be posted later for your enjoyment,” a posting on the centre’s Facebook page stated.

by Pete McIntyre
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