SNOHOMISH — He may not be the most famous weather forecaster in the state, but he’s definitely the greenest.
On Saturday, the bullfrog Snohomish Slew is scheduled to predict if spring is around the corner during the seventh annual GroundFrog Day.
The free event is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. in historic downtown Snohomish.
The prediction process is simple: If Snohomish Slew utters a croak Saturday, spring is six weeks away. If he’s silent, the winter season will linger.
The problem is that he has been pretty quiet, his caretaker, Thayer Cueter, said.
“He hasn’t said a word since September,” Cueter said. “I hope he says something soon.”
Cueter is the owner of the nonprofit organization Just Frogs Toads Too!, located on the Edmonds waterfront, which takes care of other frogs and snakes besides Snohomish Slew and his understudy, Snohomish Slew II.
Bullfrogs are listed in the state as an invasive species, meaning they’re not native and are a danger to local species. Bullfrogs are known to eat other frogs and small fish.
Because of this, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife allows bullfrogs to be killed without a license and forbids their transportation. Slew is an exception because he is in captivity and is used to educate about invasive species.
This would be Snohomish Slew’s fourth time predicting the weather and he has been pretty accurate until now, Cueter said.
Because of the cold, Snohomish Slew will only be out for a short time. His prediction — or “frognostication” as it’s being called — is expected to occur around noon at the Gazebo, located at the intersection of First Street and Avenue A. Games, live music and entertainment are planned.
GroundFrog Day is being organized by the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, which expects between 200 and 300 visitors, manager Pam Osborne said.
Last year, Slew predicted spring was coming. This time, it could be different.
“This year, it could be six more weeks of weird winter weather,” Osborne said,
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
If you go
The 2012 GroundFrog Day is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in downtown Snohomish.
The event is free and consist of games, live music and Snohomish Slew’s “frognostication.” The bullfrog is scheduled to take center stage around noon at the Gazebo, 10 Ave. A.
For more information, go to the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce website at www.cityofsnohomish.com.
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