Meet Jimmy, Wisconsin’s own weather-predicting groundhog
Move over, Punxsatawney Phil. Sun Prairie is home to its own weather-predicting groundhog and unique Groundhog Day traditions.
When people want to know what weather to expect, they normally check the news or upcoming weather forecasts. But each February, residents and visitors in Sun Prairie, Wisc., look to one source to tell them when the blustery winter will end: Jimmy, the Wisconsin city’s weather-predicting groundhog.
The groundhog, who has a bit of a wild side, biting the Sun Prairie Mayor in 2015, has been a part of the city’s festive celebration since 1965, and is one of the more accurate weather-predicting groundhogs throughout the country.
What is the history of Groundhog Day?
While Groundhog Day is a commonly celebrated holiday throughout the United States and Canada, it’s not that well-known throughout the rest of the world. The tradition of having a groundhog predict the weather was based on the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from its burrow, it will go back inside the burrow because six more weeks of winter are on the way. If it doesn’t see a shadow, then spring is finally arriving.
The holiday evolved from the German celebration of Candlemas, the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Groundhog Day was first celebrated in the United States in the 1800s.
Why is Sun Prairie the “Groundhog Capital of the World?”
For more than seven decades, Sun Prairie has referred to itself as the “Groundhog Capital of the World,” ensuring that the Madison suburb has one of the best Groundhog Day celebrations around. The city’s connection to the holiday began in 1948, when the State of Wisconsin was celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding.
To honor the centennial, an Eau Claire-based artist, Ira Bennett, and his son, made a series of commemorative postcards connecting locations in Wisconsin to different holidays throughout the year. Independence, Wisc. was chosen for the 4th of July, Port Washington was understandably chosen for George Washington’s birthday, and Sun Prairie was chosen for Groundhog Day. For Bennett, the explanation was simple: The groundhog sees his shadow when the sun shines on the prairie.
The City of Sun Prairie used this connection to further promote the city, creating the Sun Prairie Groundhog Club and bringing in live groundhogs to its annual celebration, including Jimmy, the city’s most famous weather-predicting groundhog.
Who is Jimmy?
Jimmy is the name of the Sun Prairie groundhog, who predicts if winter will continue each year on Groundhog Day. He was named Jimmy by his handlers, Erich and Tina Lenz, after Sun Prairie resident Jim Weigen, who helped Erich Lenz acquire the groundhog in 1965.
Prior to Jimmy, the City of Sun Prairie named Prince Dauphine the Groundhog as its official groundhog. In 1959, Prince Dauphine the Groundhog was taxidermied and is on display at the Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum.
Is Jimmy well-behaved?
Not always. Jimmy had a viral moment in 2015, when he bit the ear of Jonathan Freund, Sun Prairie’s mayor at the time, while he was being presented to onlookers. Jimmy went on to predict an early spring. There weren’t any hard feelings, though. Jimmy was given an official pardon by the Mayor the following day. The groundhog that bit Mayor Freund was later released into the wild.
What is Frozen Fest?
Sun Prairie makes a whole event out of celebrating Groundhog Day, and that event is Frozen Fest. The city’s annual winter festival runs for six straight days, from Jan. 28 through Feb. 2 in 2026, and features fun free and low-cost events throughout the city, including a 5K walk/run, a cocktail-making class, and even a sled dog demonstration. The festival culminates with the Groundhog Day prognostication, where Jimmy lets Sun Prairie residents know what weather to expect in the coming weeks.
How does Jimmy predict the arrival of spring?
Like many other weather-predicting groundhogs, Jimmy can tell if winter is staying or if spring is on the way based on whether he sees his shadow or not. If he sees his shadow, Wisconsin can expect six more weeks of winter, but if he doesn’t see his shadow, spring is quickly approaching.
How accurate are Jimmy’s predictions?
Punxsutawney Phil might be the most famous weather-predicting groundhog, but he’s far from the most accurate—in fact, he’s only accurate 35 percent of the time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). Admittedly, Jimmy’s not the best either, but he’s not far off. With an accuracy of 60 percent, Jimmy is the sixth most accurate weather-predicting groundhog in the country. The most accurate is Staten Island Chuck, a groundhog that has been making predictions from the Staten Island Zoo since 1981, and is accurate 85 percent of the time, according to the NOAA.
Where is Sun Prairie?
The most populous suburb of Madison, Sun Prairie is located in Dane County, northeast of the state’s capital. According to the U.S. Census, Sun Prairie has an estimated population of more than 39,000 residents.
How do you get to Sun Prairie?
Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Madison, Sun Prairie can be easily reached from the city via U.S. Route 151. The city can also be reached by I-39, I-90, and I-94, all of which run through Sun Prairie, as well as Wisconsin Highway 19. Sun Prairie is also a part of Madison’s Metro Transit, and has two local bus routes that go through the city. The closest airport to Sun Prairie is Dane County Regional Airport in Madison.
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