FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that the West Virginia State Wildlife Center will host its 49th annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Feb. 2, where Gov. Patrick Morrisey will help lead the ceremony and announce French Creek Freddie’s annual prediction.
Members of the public are invited to attend the free event, which will start at 9:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony at the amphitheater. Gates will open at 8 a.m., and guests are encouraged to arrive early.
“Groundhog Day is a cherished tradition here at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, and we’re excited to welcome back Freddie’s adoring fans,” said Mark Biller, Wildlife Biologist at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. “In addition to providing a fun event for families to enjoy, we will be announcing that the loop trail through the animal viewing area is being named an official Mountaineer Mile Trail.”
At 10 a.m., French Creek Freddie, the State Wildlife Center’s resident weather-predicting groundhog, will emerge from his dwelling, with the help of Gov. Morrisey, who will help Freddie announce whether West Virginia will get an early spring or if winter will continue for another six weeks.
Following the ceremony, guests are encouraged to take photos with French Creek Freddie and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and biscuits and gravy at the gift shop. Guests are also invited to participate in a “wood chucking” contest and explore the Wildlife Center, which features nearly 30 different species of native mammals, birds and reptiles.
For more information about the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, visit WVdnr.gov/west-virginia-wildlife-center.
Directions to the Wildlife Center
To get to the Wildlife Center from I-79 North, take Exit 99 and follow US-48/US-33 East for 12 miles to Buckhannon, and follow WV-20 South for 12 miles. From I-79 South, take Exit 67 at Flatwoods and follow US-19/WV-4 North approximately 30 miles to Rock Cave. Be sure to bear right to stay on WV-4 North at the US-19/WV-4 Junction. From Rock Cave, follow WV-20 North for two miles to the Wildlife Center.
