The Cajun Groundhog has done it again. 

Pierre C. Shadeaux made his 2018 reveal Friday morning at Bouligny Plaza to an anxiously awaiting crowd. Donald “Doc” Voorhies played the role of meteorologist as the furry, long-tailed predictor of spring and summer peeked outside his Acadiana style home. 

“He sees his carrots but it doesn’t look like he sees his shadow,” Voorhies said. 

Those familiar with the local tradition know that winter just isn’t the same in South Louisiana and neither is our groundhog, which is a nutria rat. As unique as the region itself, the meaning of our Groundhog’s Day prediction also differs from that of that other famous rodent Punxsutawney Phil of Philadelphia. 

When Cajun Groundhog Pierre sees his shadow it means there will be an early summer as opposed to Punxsutawney’s seeing his shadow meaning six more weeks of winter. If Pierre does not see his shadow it means there will be a “long spring” as opposed to Phil’s “early spring.”

Friday morning dawned heavily overcast and rains didn’t keep dozens of boys and girls from meeting the furry weather forecaster in person and getting his prediction. Many in attendance had hopes summer would be here sooner than later. 

“I want an early summer cause I like playing in the summer,” said 8-year-old Jillian Armentor. 

“I hope he sees his shadow because with weather like this spring isn’t warm enough it has to be summer,” said Jillian’s 13-year-old sister, Kate Armentor.

Daydreams of sno cones and swim trunks had to give way to thoughts of crawfish boils and spring break as children saw the much talked about Pierre walk across the porch in front of his residence more interested in breakfast than balmy summer days.

Zoo of Acadiana representatives in attendance made sure to let the kids on hand know that they can come by and visit Pierre any time. The children also learned some interesting facts about him courtesy of Jennifer Picard, education zookeeper at Zoosiana Zoo Of Acadiana. 

One being that when he’s not hanging out at his Groundhog Day residence, a custom-designed Acadiana-style home, he lives at the Zoo of Acadiana and goes by the name of Boudreaux.

The Cajun Groundhog (like all nutria) also eats 25 percent of his body fat a day. 

“He’s slightly more round than he would be in the swamp because we love him and we feed him a lot,” Picard said. 

The Daily Iberian sponsored Cajun Groundhog Day and has been doing so for 21 years with the tradition starting in 1997. Each year students are given a chance to express why Pierre C. Shadeaux is important to our culture, and those responses produced warm smiles in the morning cold. 

Third-place winner is a fourth-grader at North Lewis Elementary School, Jaden Jones.

Jones said that “this year it has been cold and we are ready for some hot weather.” 

He added, “Pierre C. Shadeaux is important to us because we do not want to rely on some Yankee groundhog to predict our weather.”

Second-place winner was 8-year-old Addison Eskind of St. Edward School, who she said as much as she loved the snow this winter, she is ready for warmer days. Not to mention her “Mamoo and Papoo have achy bones” and are ready too.

 “Pierre, us Cajuns will be happy either way! Just make this cold go away!” Eskind said.

First-place essay winner was 8-year-old third-grader Rome Simpson, who attends Center Street Elementary School. Simpson made the most of what he charismatically labeled his “Sneaux Day” by writing his Daily Iberian essay. 

Rome said he was ready to meet Pierre in person and he was ready for summer. He was all smiles while reading his award winning entry. 

“I feel good. I never thought I’d be first,” he said.

Interaction between the children and Pierre is what makes the event so special, many agreed.

“I think the best part about it (Cajun Groundhog Day) is having the kids out and participating in our culture. I’m very proud so I know parents and teachers are proud,” Beau Beaullieu, a New Iberia resident, said.