Mount Joy minnie’s groundhog day prediction event

Meet Mount Joy Minnie: Our Local Groundhog Forecaster

Mount Joy has a very special resident that has a big event every February 2 — Mount Joy Minnie, our very own female groundhog forecaster! Minnie made her debut in 2008 as a hand puppet living in a papier-mâché tree stump, created by Robert Myers.

Every year, she wakes up bright and early for a hot chocolate and coffee (provided by Mount Joy Legion Post 185) and doughnuts (provided by Voyage Mount Joy) at the town clock, and her handlers read her official proclamation to see what she predicts: early spring or more winter? It’s become a fun little tradition that brings the community together — kids, families, longtime residents, and visitors all stop by to see what she has to say.

As Nancy, one of Minnie’s longtime handlers, says:

“Minnie has a way of bringing the community together every February. It’s become part of our town’s heart.”

Looking Back at Minnie’s Predictions

Over the years, Minnie has kept us guessing! Here’s a look at what she’s predicted in past years:

2025 – More winter
2024 – Early spring
2023 – Early spring
2022 – More winter
2021 – Early spring
2020 – More winter
2019 – More winter
2018 – More winter
2017 – Early spring
2016 – More winter
2015 – More winter
2014 – Early spring
2013 – More winter
2012 – Early spring
2011 – More winter
2010 – More winter
2009 – no prediction
2008 – Early spring

Looking at her record, Minnie tends to lean a little toward more winter, predicting it about 59% of the time, while early spring shows up about 41% of the time. Whether she’s right or just keeping us guessing, one thing’s for sure — Minnie is a Mount Joy tradition that brings a little fun and a lot of community spirit every February.