Another Groundhog Day Without Milltown Mel As Organizers Hit Snag

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — NJ's celebrity groundhog, Milltown Mel, died last year just before Groundhog Day. Although the organizers found his replacement, they had to cancel this year’s celebration as well.

The organizers announced Sunday that due to unspecified state regulations, the new groundhog will not be allowed to be in Milltown in time for Groundhog Day.

“After months of trying to solve our dilemma, your Milltown Mel wranglers are sorry to report that we are unable to have a groundhog available for this year's festivities,” the organization said in a Facebook post.

“The new groundhog we originally scheduled to have made his debut is currently not allowed to be here according to a state of New Jersey statute.”

The organizers were not available to speak on the specific state statute that prevents Mel’s replacement from traveling to New Jersey.

This is the second consecutive year Groundhog Day has been canceled in Milltown.

The Milltown Wranglers said they have been trying to find a replacement for the state to approve, but we could not make it happen in time.

“We will certainly let you know if we are successful for the future as soon as we can, but in the meantime please have a great Groundhog Day and listen to Phil and all his cousins,” the organizers said.

The borough’s famous weather-predicting groundhog, Milltown Mel, died last year ahead of his big day. More: NJ's Milltown Mel Dies Before Groundhog Day, Event Now Canceled

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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