Mount Joy Minnie will make her annual weather prediction on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Rotary clock, at the intersection of Marietta Avenue and East Main Street in Mount Joy. When the festivities begin at 7 a.m., the groundhog will determine if we'll have six more weeks of winter or we'll be treated to an early spring.

"This is just a fun thing to do," said Kerry Meyers, former director of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. "It's rather silly, but everybody enjoys doing something silly every once in a while."

Before Minnie, who is a stuffed animal, emerges from her log, her handlers will read a proclamation. The groundhog's handlers this year will be Carl Hackman of First Citizens Community Bank, Greg Sallade from State Farm Insurance Agency and guest handler Denny Brandt of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. As Meyers explained, Brandt won the honor as part of an auction during the Chamber's holiday luncheon.

The Groundhog Day celebration will also include a crazy hat contest. "Anyone who has a crazy hat on will be called up to stand in front of the crowd, and the winners will be chosen by applause," Meyers said. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places, with the winners receiving Mount Joy Money to spend at participating Chamber member businesses in town.

The Walter S. Ebersole American Legion Post 185 will provide hot chocolate and coffee for the event, and Voyage Mount Joy will supply doughnuts. Meyers noted that the festivities would not be possible without the support of major sponsor Keystone Lawn Company.

Meyers explained that Mount Joy Minnie has a long history of predicting the weather. "It was started by a past Chamber supporter," she noted. "After he passed away, the Chamber decided to continue to the tradition." The event routinely draws upward of 50 people to witness whether Minnie sees her shadow or not.

"If you've never come to this before, you should come and check it out," Meyers said. "It's just a really fun community event that the Chamber enjoys doing."

In the case of inclement weather, Minnie will make her prediction underneath the portico at Northwest Bank, 101 E. Main St., Mount Joy.