The traditions of "groundhog day" (predicting the weather based on an animal's behavior) stretch back passed Phil's first prediction in 1886 to the Christian feast day of Candlemas. Phil being held by a member of the Inner Circle on February 2, 2018. Punxsutawney Phil (/ ˌ p ʌ ŋ k s ə ˈ t ɔː n i /) is a groundhog residing in Young Township near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annual Groundhog Day celebration. PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — For being 137 years old, Punxsutawney Phil looks great! How can this famous groundhog live for so long? Here’s his secret. Phil has been predicting whether we get six more weeks of winter or and early spring since 1886 and has a 100% accuracy rating. For him to keep up his predictions, he drinks the Elixir of Life. While Phil normally "retires" to normal life for the remainder of the year following his prediction at the infamous Groundhog Day festival, 2024 had some more events in store for the iconic figure. Less than two months later, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Groundhog Club announced that Phil and his wife, Phyllis, welcomed two healthy baby How old is Punxsutawney Phil? Punxsutawney Phil is reportedly 139 years old, which is 1,251 years old in human years.. But Punxsutawney Phil is no average groundhog, and he has access to a special Punxsutawney Phil's age just part of the lore of Groundhog Day. 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. 6 more weeks of winter as Phil sees his Phil and the town of Punxsutawney were portrayed in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day.” (It was really filmed in Woodstock, Ill.) Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995. (He did not get a Phil is the marmot of renown celebrated in the town’s annual Groundhog Day festival. Phil was given his name in 1961. Some speculate that he was indirectly named for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at the time. The History of Punxsutawney Phil. The Groundhog Day celebration has been a tradition in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania since 1886. PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (KDKA) -- This Sunday, Feb. 2, all eyes will turn to Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, as the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will emerge for his The legendary groundhog’s name comes from Punxsutawney, the Pennsylvania town that has hosted the largest Groundhog Day celebration since 1887. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club also claims that he was named after King Philip, although exact details remain vague. “Phil” received his official name in the 1960s, which cemented Punxsutawney 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., Wednesday When is Groundhog Day 2025? Groundhog Day will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Thousands will show up in person, with the grounds to Gobblers Knob opening at 4 a.m., and millions will tune in to see if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. More: Where to watch Bill Murray's 1993 classic movie 'Groundhog Day' for Groundhog Day. What is Punxsutawney Phil, Br'er Groundhog, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, Weather Predictor Extraordinaire, National Treasure Groundhog Day 2020 live stream: Punxsutawney Phil predicts spring [EXPLAINER] Groundhog Day 2020 RESULTS: How to watch Punxsutawney Phil prediction [PICTURES] Groundhog Day 2020: Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog Day was popularised in the 1993 Bill Murray blockbuster of the same name and in 2016 Groundhog Day even hit Broadway. Punxsutawney, in western Pennsylvania, USA , is around 80 miles In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world. About Phil. Punxsutawney Phil is a superstar prognosticating groundhog from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He makes his predictions from his burrow on Gobler’s Knob. According to legend, Phil has made weather prognostications since 1886, owing his improbably long life to the miraculous “groundhog nog” administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic. 5 p.m., Showing of “Groundhog Day.” Come and see the classic 1993 film free of charge! Punx’y Community Center, 220 N. Jefferson. St. punxsutawneycommunitycenter.com 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., First Baptist Church will open its Warming Station, Rest-to Groundhog Day visitors. 209 E. Union St., Punx’y. 7 p.m., Showing of “Groundhog Day.” Come Groundhog Day, in the United States and Canada, day (February 2) on which the emergence of the groundhog from its burrow is said to foretell the weather for the following six weeks. In the United States the most popular event occurs in Pennsylvania and centers on a groundhog designated Punxsutawney Phil. It certainly had a huge impact on the small town though. Groundhog Day celebrations went from seeing about 5,000 spectators every year to somewhere around 35,000. “I would say it was the catalyst that put Punxsutawney Phil from having 5,000 people come for Groundhog Day to having 35,000 people come for Groundhog Day. That was the impact that
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