Groundhog Day Canceled Once Again In This Middlesex Co. Town

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Milltown will not be hosting Groundhog Day, for the third straight year.

The organizers of NJ’s popular Groundhog Day said the event stands canceled as they haven’t been able to find a replacement for Milltown Mel.

New Jersey's famous weather-predicting groundhog, Milltown Mel, died just before his big day in 2022.

While the organizers began the search for a new Mel, due to unspecified state regulations, the new groundhog was not allowed to be in Milltown in time for 2023 Groundhog Day.

“Mel's Wranglers have been trying to get a new Groundhog to call Milltown "home"...but we have not had success yet,” the organizers said in a Facebook post.

“We have not given up, and will keep at it, but no luck for this year. At least we know Mel is watching over us.”

Every February, John McNamara, of Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home in Milltown, takes the groundhog out of his pen, and sees whether the animal can predict if spring is coming.

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