PA Town Home to Famous Groundhog Day Celebration
Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Spring’s Arrival Every February 2
Aug 15, 2009
Tucked in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil tells winter-weary North Americans every February 2 whether they will have an early spring or six more weeks of deep freeze. The town of Punxsutawney has been relying on Phil for more than a century both as a weather seer and center of commerce.
At dawn each February 2, town dignitaries and residents are joined by tourists and the media to witness whether or not Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow when he emerges from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob. Seeing his shadow is a bad thing, and if the groundhog sees it, he’ll retreat back into his hole for six more weeks. On that February day, school children through senior citizens await “official” word of their climate-fate, the majority cheering if Phil does not see his shadow.
Punxsutawney Club Hosts Annual Groundhog Day Ceremony
At around 7:30 on the morning of February 2, more than a dozen or so top-hatted and tailed members of Phil’s “Inner Circle” gather around a man-made tree stump, where Phil quietly waits. Phil is gently removed from his burrow and held up for the crowd to behold. He then is placed on the stump and the men gather around, brows furled. After a moment, the announcement is made to the delight or dismay of the crowd.
Groundhog Day History and Trivia
How did this odd tradition begin? A representative for the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society says that the Goundhog Day origins are found in Germany, where on the Feast of Candlemas, to break up winter doldrums, people would go on a massive hunt for a badger. Upon catching the creature, they would kill it, cook it, and have a celebration. Since many area residents were of German descent, they continued the tradition, employing the groundhog as a substitute for the badger.
Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day was used as a backdrop for a Bill Murray film of the same name in 1993. The story centered on a disillusioned Pittsburgh weatherman, who is forced to relive the same day over and over again until he gets it right. Groundhog Day was actually filmed in Woodstock, IL, because it was closer to a photo lab. Had it been filmed in Punxsutawney, reviewing daily reviewing of footage would have been impossible.
Groundhog Day Event Details
The Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, PA, is held over several days. On February 2, Gobbler’s Knob gates open at 3:00 a.m. More than 40,000 people attend the standing-room only event. Shuttle service is provided, and a number of lodging and eating establishments operate in the area. In the town itself, events take place throughout the celebration. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club posts information and schedules on its Website.
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