The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a "Glad tidings on this Groundhog Day, an early spring is on the way!" and to bring in the music and to bring in the foods and the culture — it's a real uplifting event," Harman says 3 of 15 | . FILE - The groundhog saw his shadow, Feb. 2, 1954, as the sun peeked through an overcast sky at Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee, Wis. The arrival of annual Groundhog Day celebrations Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, will draw thousands of people to see celebrity woodchuck Phil at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. — an event that exploded in popularity after the 1993 Bill Murray movie. Every February 2, tens of thousands of spectators attend Groundhog Day events in Punxsutawney, a borough that’s home to some 6,000 people. It was immortalized in the 1993 film Groundhog Day 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. See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. An unusual, yet beloved holiday February 2nd is Groundhog Day, the day when a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow, more cold is on the way; if not, warmer weather is coming. While this holiday may seem like a silly tradition, it has a surprisingly deep history. Ancient Traditions The movie‘s popularity had a significant impact on the real-life Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney. Attendance at the event soared in the years following the film‘s release, with crowds growing from around 2,000 in the early 1990s to over 40,000 in recent years. The Enduring Appeal of Groundhog Day Most of us know the tradition: on February 2, our old friend the groundhog will emerge from hibernation, come out of his den, and predict whether winter will deliver more cold weather this year. If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner. If you like the folklore of holidays, you may be interested to Groundhog Day has its roots in ancient midwinter ceremonies. and to bring in the music and to bring in the foods and the culture — it's a real uplifting event," Harman says. With so many of Phil’s fans now devoted to the celebration, the Inner Circle hosts additional events and gatherings throughout the week leading up to Groundhog Day, including the Groundhog Ball and the Groundhog Banquet. "Glad tidings on this Groundhog Day, an early spring is on the way!" and to bring in the music and to bring in the foods and the culture — it's a real uplifting event," Harman says JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Punxsutawney Phil is preparing for his day, but before and after the big day there are plenty of events that the public will have the opportunity to participate in. This year’s events include a talent show, fundraisers to support local groups, parties and other events that the Punxsutawney community hopes [] Groundhog Day: How Woodstock, Illinois became the real-life home of an iconic movie. In a Fox 32 special report, Jake Hamilton takes a look back at what it was like when Groundhog Day was being A Groundhog Club handler holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-prognosticating groundhog, during the 133rd celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2, 2019. Come for all the festivities with our own Groundhog Day polka band. It’s all free but don’t forget your booties ‘cuz it’s cold out there. The main event for Groundhog Day is the annual prognostication at 7 am, February 2nd.Hundreds will brave the weather and gather on the Woodstock Square to see Woodstock Willie emerge from his tree Groundhog Day is real, in the sense that there is a real holiday and there is a real ceremony. Whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow has no actual bearing on how much longer winter weather lasts, but it's a fun tradition. It has yet to be proven whether Bill Murray actually spent Groundhog Day is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. Cumming Nature Center > Programs & Events Groundhog Day. Join us for a storytime, craft, and activity all themed around Groundhog Day! Cumming Nature Center ; Member Video above: Rare albino groundhog spotted in the Susquehanna Valley.The Groundhog Day celebration at Gobbler's Knob started in 1887. Aside from a 10-year gap, records for each prognostication
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