6 Ohio Festivals Centered Around Weather-Predicting Animals

Punxsutawney Phil, you’re in good company. Ohio has its own lineup of quirky weather-predicting animals eager to share if there will be six more weeks of winter or if we’ll be graced with an early spring. Whether they’ve been informing Ohioans about the turn of the season since the 1970s or just started sharing their news this decade, these fun-loving friends and the events planned around them offer a fun to celebrate Groundhog Day

Benny the Bass | Jan. 31
Gather at Buckeye Lake’s North Shore Boat Ramp to see this iconic fish predict the change of seasons. Benny the Bass arrives at 7 a.m. sharp, when organizers drop live bait into his 150-pound aquarium. Then, the countdown is on as Benny has three minutes to decide whether to take the bait or leave it. If he does, we get an early spring, and if he doesn’t, we’ll be struck with six more weeks of winter weather.

Buckeye Chuck | Feb. 2
In January 1970, Marion radio host Charlie Evers mentioned a groundhog sighting on air, and after a contest polling listeners about what to name the furry creature, Buckeye Chuck was born. Since 1990, a version of Chuck has paid the Marion County Fairgrounds & Veterans Memorial Coliseum a visit each February, delivering his prediction for a longer winter or the swift arrival spring. Visitors to the event are encouraged to bring cash donations or nonperishable goods to the fairgrounds in support of the St. Vincent Depaul Food Pantry.

Poppy the Skunk | Feb. 2
Bundle up and head to downtown Lancaster’s Zane Square for Poppy’s Prediction, an all-ages get-together with one very friendly skunk serving as the star of the show. Watch as Poppy chooses between two bowls of food, thereby offering up her prediction for what type of weather our state has on the horizon. Cast your own prediction in advance at several locations across town, including the Fairfield District Library Main Branch and the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Community Building.

Walnut the Hedgehog | Feb. 2
Get to know Dayton’s cutest spiny mammal at Hedgehog Day, an annual event hosted at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton. The family-focused gathering promises a meet-and-greet with the weather-predicting hedgehog, Walnut, as well as opportunities to interact with other animal ambassadors, learn about conservation efforts, make crafts and visit a native plant station hosted by Dayton Wild Ones.

Wildwood Willie | Feb. 2
Join the crowd at Toledo’s Wildwood Preserve Metropark in watching Wildwood Willie and his predicting powers. Is an early spring afoot or should we look ahead to more winter flurries? Learn about the lore and legend behind Groundhog Day and get to know more about the taxidermied critter through song, stories, crafts and games. Plus, take the family on an adventurous winter walk to find Willie himself.

Wynonna the Wild Hearts Woodchuck | Feb. 2
Meet an adorable, weather-predicting rodent during this morning event at Brown Memorial Library in Lewisburg. Wynonna hails from the town’s Wild Hearts African Farm & Petting Zoo, and she is looking forward to sharing her predictions for what’s to come for Ohio’s climate. The event is free to attend, although visitors are encouraged to bring an item from Wynonna’s Wish List, including carrots, sweet potatoes and packages of pine nut shavings.

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