Shubenacadie Sam To Predict Weather, Celebrate Wetlands

This Saturday, Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia's weather predicting groundhog, will host his annual Feb. 2, party at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park.

Thanks to Nova Scotia's time zone, Shubenacadie Sam will be the first groundhog in North America to help people determine how much longer winter will last. If he sees his shadow and runs back to hide, winter is here for another six weeks. If he does not, spring is just around the corner.

But you have to be at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park bright and early to join the fun. At 7:55 a.m. a bagpiper and town crier will coax Shubenacadie Sam out of his house for the prediction at 8 a.m. sharp.

Sam will be available for photos following his prognostication. There will also be free coffee, hot chocolate, face painting and crafts.

Feb. 2 is also World Wetlands Day. As a nature lover, Shubenacadie Sam will help Ducks Unlimited Canada promote the stewardship of natural areas as part of the day's festivities.

The 2008 theme for World Wetlands Day is Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People. As part of the event, the interactive displays at the wildlife park's Ducks Unlimited Canada Greenwing Legacy Interpretative Centre will be open. Visitors can learn how wetlands keep us healthy and get active through guided nature walks, with snowshoes provided if needed.

People can also investigate what is living in ponds by critter dipping with nets under the ice. Other activities, such as making plaster tracks will cost $1.

The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance to the park is free until 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., regular winter admission rates will be charged. For more information and directions to wildlife park visit wildlifepark.gov.ns.ca .

The Shubenacadie Legion and Lions Club will also host a breakfast at the Shubenacadie Legion from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children aged five to 12 and free for children under five.