Groundhog Day to be celebrated virtually in 2021 Poll Yes By Stan Ashbee on January 27, 2021. Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on Feb. 2. It’s also a classic comedy starring Bill Murray. Across the U.S. and in Canada, there are many official celebratory mascots, both alive and representative of a community. In Pennsylvania, there’s Punxsutawney Phil. In Bruce County, Ontario there’s Wiarton Willie. And in Alberta, there’s Balzac Billy. Balzac Billy is the “prairie prognosticator” – he predicts weather according to present indications or signs. Balzac area residents, consisting primarily of farmers, have always depended on Billy’s weather predictions for the upcoming growing season. Billy is a gopher – however, that’s his common name. He’s really a Richardson Ground Squirrel – a common species in Alberta. Billy and his family hibernate from September to February. Balzac is a hamlet located 24 kilometres north of Calgary.