DALLAS — Though we may know the legend, it is difficult for Texans to truly celebrate or otherwise observe Groundhog Day. The 138-year-old tradition of a bunch of men in Pennsylvania gathering Armadillo Day started in 2010 as Texas' answer to Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Bee Cave Bob predicted an early spring. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Jay Janner/Associated Press On Groundhog Day, instead of relying on the traditional shadow-fearing rodent to determine whether there will be six more weeks of winter, Gator Country in Beaumont will look to its star alligator The Groundhog Day tradition dates back to Germany where a badger was used to determine the coming of spring. DamianKuzdak/Getty Images Places like Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin have For much of the country, Feb. 2 is known as Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil has been prognosticating spring’s return from Pennsylvania on that day for more than 135 years. In Texas, however Armadillo Day started in 2010 as Texas' answer to Groundhog Day. Albino squirrels : The University of Texas has a campus legend that if students see an albino squirrel on the day of a test, they Groundhog Club co-handler Al Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, in front of the crowd gathered for the 133rd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in FILE - Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 136th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb Armadillo Day started in 2010 as Texas' answer to Groundhog Day. Albino squirrels: The University of Texas has a campus legend that if students see an albino squirrel on the day of a test, they'll Ask any meteorologist: one of the most exciting days of the year is February 2, Groundhog Day. But in Texas, it’s known as Armadillo Day! While most eyes are on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Texans shift their attention to Bee Cave, Texas. About Bob. Bee Cave Bob has helped Texans predict the early arrival of spring or the prolongment of winter since 2010. Bob is part of a Groundhog Day secessionist movement: with founder T. Booth rechristening it “Armadillo Day,” and stating “we don’t need no mangy groundhog in Pennsylvania predicting the weather for us.” For much of the country, Feb. 2 is known as Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil has been prognosticating spring’s return on that day for more than 135 years. In Texas, however, the day is known as Armadillo Day, and the predictions come from Bee Cave Bob. The nine-banded armadillo has been on the job since 2010. Pennsylvania has your Groundhog Day Celebrations. And Texas has some Wine Festivals worth checking out. Here’s what to look for in each state this weekend: Alabama Mardi Gras Celebrations Arkansas Frost Fest Colorado Music Festivals Delaware Fire and Ice Festival Florida Music Festivals, the Renaissance and more. Georgia Irish Fest. Oyster For much of the country, it’s known as Groundhog Day, built around the personage of Punxsutawney Phil. In Texas, however, it’s Armadillo Day, which rests on the prophetic powers of Bee Cave Bob. Bee Cave Bob’s career began in 2012, when a group of buddies in Central Texas—formally known as the Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon—decided Annually, Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2. More: How a tiny Texas town of 71 residents became an epicenter for Valentine's Day What is the origin of Groundhog Day? The holiday began as a Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, as Vice President Tom Dunkel reads the scroll , during the 136th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Phil’s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. PETA activists are calling for Punxsutawney Phil, the region's fluffiest weather predictor, to be replaced with a vegan "weather reveal cake" during Sunday's annual Groundhog Day celebration in Big Al is a 92-year old, 1,000 pound, 13.4-foot alligator prognosticator from Beaumont, Texas. On February 2, Al is offered a chicken breast to chow down on. According to his owner, Gary Saurage, ”If this alligator eats, that means we are done with winter. The 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard [3] [4] [5] was a powerful and historic winter storm that affected large swaths of the United States and Canada from January 31 to February 2, 2011, especially on Groundhog Day. The groundhog saw his shadow on Groundhog Day- meaning six more weeks of winter. By Samantha Davies • Published February 2, 2023 • Updated on February 2, 2023 at 10:15 am NBC Universal, Inc.
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