Can we predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter this Groundhog Day? The only way to answer this age-old question is to ask groundhog Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd when he emerges from his home on Gobbler’s Knob, a rural area 2 miles outside of town in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in a celebration that has taken place since 1887!
Vicky, an OrnamentShop.com employee, ventured to Punxsutawney last year on Groundhog Day to take in this annual celebration, music and food. She was surprised at all of the fanfare and gladly participated in the town’s merriment. They take their Groundhog Day festivities seriously, even though Phil has only correctly predicted the weather 39% of the time!
Groundhog Day Festivities In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
The self-named “Weather Capital of the World” is home to Punxsutawney Phil, their local celebrity, who emerges from his hole in the ground on Groundhog Day to predict a long winter or early spring. The townsfolk wait anxiously for his proclamation, which is spoken to the President of the Inner Circle in his native tongue “groundhogese” which only the President can understand.
Punxsutawney Phil in his Cage
The Inner Circle takes care of Phil year round and plans the ceremony and celebration of this notorious day for townspeople and tourists alike. They are easily spotted because all members of the Inner Circle are very dapper, traditionally wearing black top hats and tuxedos.
Inner Circle President
On Groundhog Day, if Phil emerges and sees his shadow, his prediction is for six more weeks of winter weather. The notion is that he fears his shadow and goes back into hibernation. If he does not see his shadow, his prediction is that an early spring will soon be on its way! The folklore of this unique tradition began in Germany and it was originally a hedgehog, not a groundhog, predicted the weather. Once the tradition was erected in Pennsylvania, the hedgehog was changed to a groundhog and the day was officially coined Groundhog Day.
“Get Your Phil Of Roses”
If you venture to Punxsutawney to join in Groundhog Day celebrations or to celebrate your birthday on February 2nd (which is a big deal in Punxsutawney), here are some of the fun activities you can expect:
- craft vendors in the park
- wood cut outs in the square that you can take your picture in
- visit an official souvenir shop
- have breakfast with Phil
- go on a groundhog tour
- enjoy the crowning of Little Mr. and Little Miss Groundhog
- watch the Groundhog Day movie with Bill Murray (which was about Punxsutawney, but was actually filmed in Woodstock, Illinois)
- admire the art exhibit of groundhog Vincent Van Hogh
- have fun at the weather discovery center and
- young children can even participate in a scavenger hunt to discover Phil’s friends!
Plenty of Photo Ops
Discover the 32 Phantastic Phil locations in which fiberglass models of Phil are manufactured locally and each is uniquely painted by local and regional artists in different themes. Vicky really liked the ones titled “Get Your Phil Of Roses” by artist Brenda Nicklas and “Phillage” by artist Kelly Porada. If you need a Personalized Pennsylvania Ornament to commemorate your trip to Punxsutawney, we’ve got just the right one for your family!
Since 1887, Phil has made predictions 118 times on Groundhog Day and only 17 of them were for an early spring, so the odds are definitely stacked against you if you are hoping for warmer weather to arrive soon. If you can’t wait for spring weather to turn up, we have Personalized Easter Ornaments for you to start warming up your home to chase away your winter blues!
