This week's Wiarton Willie Festival has a platinum sponsor.
Sunwing will be supporting Groundhog Day festivities that culminate with the annual weather prediction Thursday morning.
Canada's most famous groundhog will emerge from his burrow at 8:07am Thursday morning, as Canadians wait to find out if Willie sees his shadow. There will be a special Facebook Live broadcast beginning at 7:15am that morning on Sunwing's Facebook page.
The Wiarton Willie Festival kicks off at 7am, with a fireworks display and a free pancake breakfast upstairs in the Wiarton arena. That will be followed by a morning of entertainment on the Wiarton Arena outdoor stage.
Festivities will include a tropical-inspired performance by the Sunwing dancers that will get the crowd warmed up before Willie's appearance. After the prediction, visitors can have their photo taken with the star of the show.
To bring an extra dose of warmth and sunshine to the local community and weather watchers across Canada, Sunwing has launched the Groundhog Day Getaway Contest. Canadians are invited to enter online for a chance to win a one week all-inclusive vacation for a family of four at the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa.
If Willie sees his shadow and winter is extended, Sunwing will reward all entrants with a $100 travel voucher to ensure that they can escape winter too.
"The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is thrilled to partner with Sunwing," says Mayor Janice Jackson. "It seems Wiarton Willie and Sunwing were made for each other. They both strive to escape the cold winters but thrive in the warmth of the sun."