Dunkirk Dave is ready to make his prediction Thursday. Submitted photo

Dunkirk Dave is finally set to show off for a crowd again.

After a pandemic-imposed hiatus, handler Bob Will is opening the groundhog’s annual appearance back up to the public.

On Thursday morning at daybreak, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Dunkirk Dave will emerge from his habitat at 5117 Farmlane Road in the Town of Dunkirk to predict the upcoming spring weather.

Dunkirk Dave is the second longest prognosticating groundhog, only behind Punxsutawney Phil of Pa. Contrary to popular opinion, Will clarifies that Dunkirk Dave does not predict when spring will begin itself, but what the weather will be like when it does.

“No groundhog predicts when spring starts. The start of spring is on the calendar. What groundhogs predict is what the weather will be like for spring,” Will said.

Visitors are encouraged to attend the annual celebration, which was held privately since the COVID-19 pandemic first impacted Western New York.