Groundhog Day 2024 In CT: Did Chuckles See His Shadow?

MANCHESTER, CT — Chuckles XI, Connecticut's "official" groundhog, woke up to cloud cover over the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester Friday morning, didn't see his shadow, and predicted an early spring.

"The skiers might not be happy, but spring is coming soon," Manchester Mayor Jay Moran said after his yearly consultation. Only the mayor has the ability to speak groundhog in Manchester and thus must take on the responsibility to relay that top-level information to the citizenry.

The pre-dawn hours were in the mid-30s, which seemed to be another premonition to the groundhog's prognostication. Ashley Little, the Lutz's animal curator and official Chuckles handler, refused to guess what the prediction might be, reiterating that only the mayor has the power to pass on such messages.

See also: Groundhog Day 2024: Did Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?

Groundhog Day is always a festive occasion at the Lutz. Each year, spectators young and old gather around the stage to see what Chuckles has to say.

The early spring prediction made 4-year-old Ashton Peloquin happy. He said he wanted to hear just that as he made the trip to Manchester from North Granby with his mom, Marlene.

Two of the other children in attendance — Elise and Dodie Gardiner of Marlborough — were split on their hopes. Elise wanted more snow, while Dodie was ok with an early spring.

Moran calls the day his "second-favorite" in town, after Thanksgiving morning's Manchester Road Race.

Lutz Executive Director Patricia Buxton said the day always had a warmth to it.

"It never gets old ... it's a tradition and it's comforting," she said. "It's like that favorite casserole your grandmother makes. It feels so good. It's great to see the kids and their parents at the Lutz each year and it's always good to see Chuckles make his prediction."

Chuckles XI is now 3-years old. He came to the Lutz at a young age with his sister, Jolene, who were separated by their mother. After a short rehab stint, they both came to live at the Lutz.

"Chuckles gives us the most important prediction," Moran said. "We don't care what (Punxsutawney) Phil says in Pennsylvania."

By the way, Phil also predicted an early spring.