It's official, the rivalry between Sun Prairie's very own Jimmy the Prognosticator and Punxsutawney Phil has erupted. Thursday morning, Jimmy ushered in the prospect of an early spring by not seeing his shadow at the Sun Prairie Groundhog Day Prognostication at Cannery Square Plaza, in the heart of Sun Prairie. The event was well attended, with one "human groundhog" coming all the way from West Allis just for the celebration. This was a direct smack in the face of Phil's prediction of 6 more weeks of cold.

This feud is nothing new. Sun Prairie has been fighting to get their proper recognition as the groundhog captial of the world, even claiming congressional recognition as such(albeit the photo is next to impossible to read). NOT FOUND: 3 This rivalry doesn't seem like it will end any time soon. groundhogs.com puts this year's celebration at 120, while Sun Prairie's tops that by at least one. with a diary entry by Colonal William H. Angell on February 2nd, 1886:

With a purported 80% accuracy, we'll see if Jimmy can give Phil a run for his money. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, Phil's only been right 28% of the time! The site also echoes Jimmy's prediction by forcasting an "unseasonably mild" February. Heck, the sun is even coming out already, making its first showing in sevearl days, so warmer days may come sooner than we think.

Dane101 has a photostream of the event, which can be viewed here.