Will Central Jersey Groundhog Milltown Mel See His Shadow Sunday?

MILLTOWN, NJ — Who needs Punxsutawney Phil? Certainly not Middlesex County, New Jersey.

That's because every year, a local groundhog called Milltown Mel does his own winter/spring prediction and this winter is no different: Milltown Mel is scheduled to make his annual prediction this Sunday, Feb. 2 at the American Legion Post #25, located at 4 John F. Kennedy Drive in Milltown.

The event starts early; crowds start gathering outside at 6:30 a.m. and Mel emerges at around 7 a.m. If he sees his shadow, New Jersey will have to endure six more weeks of winter.

Milltown Mel is owned by John McNamara, who owns Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home in Milltown. The groundhog is kept in a heated pen out back behind the funeral home, and he is currently resting for his big day, Patch was told.

"It's supposed to be a nice day and hopefully he predicts spring," said McNamara. "Honestly, this event gets bigger and bigger every year. This year the Rutgers pep band will be there for the first time ever."

Also for the first time ever, McNamara created these free t-shirts this year to give away to everyone who attends on Sunday; they are pictured above.

All are welcome! 2020 will be the twelfth year in a row Mel's handlers have put on the event. As usual, McNamara will generously provide coffee and doughnuts for attendees afterwards upstairs at the American Legion. It is usually a festive event and people bring noisemakers.

Here is a video, created by Middlesex County government, that tells the story of Milltown Mel:

Related: Watch Milltown Mel Do His Winter Prediction Saturday (Feb. 2019)