Bristol Bob’s Groundhog Day appearance says Spring is around the corner!

Move over, Punxsutawney Phil — Kenosha County’s resident groundhog forecaster has a more optimistic outlook

By KENOSHA COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS

Kenosha County is located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Its population in 2019 was estimated to be 169,561, making it the eighth most populous county in Wisconsin. The county is named after the county seat, Kenosha, the fourth largest city in Wisconsin.

Hours after Pennsylvania’s famed Phil emerged to see his shadow on Sunday, Bristol Bob made his annual appearance at the Pringle Nature Center in Bristol Woods Park. And there was nary a shadow to be found.

Eleanor Baillie, 4, of Antioch, Ill., pets Bristol Bob as Environmental Educator Kelly Brower looks on during Pringle Nature Center’s 2025 Groundhog Day celebration Sunday at Bristol Woods Park.

Per Groundhog Day lore, Bob’s forecast suggests we’re in for an early spring. In seeing his shadow, Punxsutawney Phil called for six more weeks of winter.

If you’re looking for a tiebreaker, you might turn your attention to the famed Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, Wis., who joined Bristol Bob in seeing no shadow on Sunday, portending an early spring — in Wisconsin, anyway.

Bristol Bob’s appearance highlighted the annual Groundhog Day celebration at Pringle Nature Center, which also included crafts for kids and a story time that featured a reading of the children’s book “Groundhog Gets it Wrong.”

Environmental Educator Kelly Brower reads “Groundhog Gets it Wrong” during the 2025 Groundhog Day event Sunday at the Pringle Nature Center as Lena Richardt, 2, of Pleasant Prairie, looks on.

As for whether the taxidermized Bristol Bob got it right, time will tell.

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