No Bids in Wiarton Willie Auction

If you're busy coping with the realities of a harsh winter and tough economic times, you're not alone. CP reports the town of Wiarton, Ontario, home of the Wiarton Willie Festival, received no bids when they tried to auction a "Groundhog Day experience" on eBay this year. The reserve bid was for just under $750. Apparently a Calgary family paid $1700 for the experience last year. The package included three nights accommodation and a front-row seat for the groundhog's prediction on February 2, as well as participation in festival events.

The festival in the southern Ontario town is one of several held to predict the arrival of spring. February 2 falls halfway between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. Tradition has it that if it's sunny and the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it's raining or snowing and the groundhog can't see his shadow, it will be an early spring.

No bids on an eBay auction isn't as bad as 1999 though, when the organizers of the festival discovered that the original Wiarton Willie had died during hibernation.

More on Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day in Canada
Origins of Groundhog Day - About.com Landscaping
Famous Groundhogs Around the World - About.com Pittsburgh