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01/22/2020 11:00 PMGroundhog fans from near are far will have to wait until Sunday, Jan. 26 to learn the secret of Essex Ed—not about seeing his shadow, but finding out what he’s dressed as this year. Ed will make his annual pilgrimage from Essex Boat Works up Main Street to a place of prominence at the circle in Essex Village at 2 p.m.
Each year, a local community organization is given the chance to dress the 12-foot papier mâché rodent in a timely theme. Last year, Ed was dressed as Beethoven by the Essex Winter Series to commemorate the composer’s 250th birthday.
According to the Essex Board of trade, the Essex Ed tradition was born in 1978 thanks to local resident Mary Ellen Brophy, when out of boredom she and her friends decided to inject some fun into an extremely cold and unpleasant winter. Without securing town approval, Mary Ellen referred to Essex Ed’s surprise appearance at the Essex Square roundabout on Groundhog Day as “creative vandalism—a way to get everybody outside for some silly, winter fun.”
Now, the parade draws hundreds from Connecticut and beyond to celebrate the event, often dressed in groundhog garb and usually equipped with a selection of pots and pans to wake the sleepy groundhog. The parade also features marching units led by the Essex Sailing Masters of 1812 and numerous festively decorated antique vehicles.
For more information on the Essex Ed Parade, visit essexct.com.