Benny the Bass

About Benny

Benny the Bass is a foreseeing fish whose annual weather prediction kicks off Winterfest in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. Unlike the traditional ‘shadow’ method preferred by landgoing prognosticators, Benny’s prediction is based on his breakfast. “I pour a bunch of minnows into this big tank with a live bass,” says Mike Fornataro, Chair of Winterfest, “Then people chant, Take the bait, spring can’t wait.’ The bass has three minutes to eat a minnow. If he does, it’s an early spring. If he doesn’t, it’s six more weeks of winter.”