SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (USA TODAY) -- Next year, Sun Prairie Mayor Jonathan Freund will wear earmuffs.
Jimmy the Groundhog chomped on the mayor's ear just seconds after coming out of his hole Monday without seeing his shadow. The nip, however, did not stop the mayor from performing his duty. Freund announced to the crowd that Jimmy XI was forecasting an early spring.
Call it first time jitters for first-time Groundhog Day participants, Freund and Jimmy XI. Freund was elected mayor last May, and Jimmy, a two-year-old groundhog, made his debut.
"This is the first year that Jimmy has predicted an early spring with me," Freund said. "It's a great tradition. It brings a lot of people out to Sun Prairie.
"I was hoping not to get bit, but certainly not nervous at all."
The event marked the end of a dream for handler Jerry Hahn. He is retiring as Jimmy's handler after 13 years.
"I'm a little bit on the emotional side today," Hahn said. "I know that this is the last time my wife (Maria) and I and Jimmy will be together. It's been a good run and it's time to turn it over to someone that can continue the tradition and make something very special for the city of Sun Prairie."
Hahn was 6 years old when he attended Sun Prairie's first Groundhog Day event in 1948.
Hahn will hand off his duties to Beans 'n Creams owner Jeff Gauger. Jimmy will be placed at a hobby farm in Sun Prairie until next year's event.
Hahn said he is confident the mayor and the city's weather-savvy critter will develop a great relationship.
"Jimmy was doing great today other than taking a nip out of the mayor's ear," Hahn said. "That's part of being the mayor, I guess. This is the fourth mayor (since I've been handler), the second mayor that got a nip."
This isn't the first time groundhogs have behaved badly. An aggressive groundhog recently attacked a New Hampshire man in his garage.
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