How it started- Groundhog’s Day first celebration in Punxsutawney was in 1886.
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another fight. If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter will not come again.
A Scottish saying:
If Candlemas be fine and clear, There’ll be two winters in the year.”
Here’s a 2014 blog post about the movie Groundhog Day filmed in Woodstock, Illinois.
Shadow or no? Check back after sunrise Feb 2nd
Blog posts galore celebrating Groundhog Day
Virtual this year @ 6:30 AM EST
https://www.groundhog.org/
Groundhog Day Traditions casts a shadow back to Medieval Europe –
Candian Press article
Joanne baked a Groundhog Day cake with Shadow Feb 2020
My sister photographed a groundhog puppet I gave her
and here is a reblog of our February 2014 PUNXSUTAWNEY ADVENTURE
Groundhog’s Day 2014-
We were there to see Phil the Groundhog rousted out of his slumber, and taken out from his cozy stump to see his shadow amidst the brotherhood of the Inner Circle of Gobbler’s Knob. The men were all dressed in top hats and formal attire.
Twenty four years ago (before the 1993 movie) my sister Mary and I drove in the middle of a foggy night to see the groundhog. I can tell you that it was a much different this trip. Last time we just parked on the side of the road and walked up the hill to Gobbler’s Knob. The whole event was well orchestrated and incredibly efficient, especially with the number of people coming to town. Lots of dedicated people making a concerted effort to insure everyone’s safe and happy experience! Everyone pleasant and a festive atmosphere. We had fun and were really glad it was rain rain and more rain instead of ice and snow snow snow!
Laura thought she’d like to go last year since it was on a weekend but it was super cold and I had an photography show opening that weekend and it didn’t work out. “Next year”, I said. “Next year.” Laura wanted to cross it off her Bucket List.
Mary came out from NYC on the train Thursday night and Laura drove in Saturday morning from Columbus OH.
We went to bed at 8:30 PM Saturday night and got up at 2:40 AM.
Pulled out of the driveway around 3:20AM and drove the 74 miles to Punxsutawney PA. Not to0 much traffic but when we got there the Wal-Mart parking lot was already filled up. We were able to find a spot behind the County Market in Groundhog Plaza and walked two blocks to a McDonald’s where we got $5 round trip tickets for the bus to Gobbler’s Knob.
Just like Shuey had told us (he went last year in the bitter cold, driving his MOTORCYCLE from Niceville, Florida) it was “easy peasy.” The crowd was estimated at 30,000 and yes, it rained on us the entire time but the temp was about 37 so no ice, no snow and none of us felt cold or miserable. I’d wrapped the camera in a couple of plastic bags and rubber bands on the end of the lens. At one point we were asked to all pull out our cell phones an light the place like a concert with a lighter. A fellow art teacher plays the bass fiddle in a band The Beagle Brothers and they played a few sets starting at 3AM. Oh, the Star Spangled Banner, too.
We stopped in at County Market to buy a couple of magnets and use their nice restroom. The clerk had been there since the night before at 10:30 and her shift ended at 6AM.
School buses lined up to take Groundhog Fans to Gobbler’s Knob
On our way to the buses we saw this Groundhog Bride. Groundhog Weddings were available but no “walk-ins”
Laura at Gobbler’s Knob
Cell phones light Gobbler’s Knob
Thirty minutes of Zambelli Fireworks in the woods was an unexpected delight.
The Beagle Brothers band
The Beagle Brothers played a few sets and the National Anthem. Fellow art teacher Kyle on the Bass Fiddle. Nice job!
Piles of snow and Television Trucks
Phil’s handlers belong to the Inner Circle.
Uh oh. He saw his shadow. SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!!!
Six more weeks of winter, he predicts. The crowd let out a collective groan.
A fellow groundhog fan took our photo on Gobbler’s Knob
Josh (dogmatic liveart) painted Groundhog Day right on the spot!
his palette
Groundhog fans checking their photos and messages.
Headed for the buses at Gobbler’s Knob
Groundhog Fan with Groundhog Hat
Another shot as the light increases in the sky- Laura at Gobbler’s Knob
Photographer on Gobbler’s Knob
After the Prognostication
Getting on the bus for downtown
Kids playing on piles of dirty snow
Necessary facilities
Groundhog Statues all over town!
Celebration Tent
Downtown Punxsutawney
Mr. Tom Uberti shook my hand and welcomed me to Punxsutawney. AKA Big Windmaker. He graciously allowed me to “shoot him.”
We’re in Gainesville, Florida tonight.
My sister brought a Groundhog postcard of Punxsutawney Phil with her in her bag.
I photographed the card by a friends swimming pool.
So what will it be? Six more weeks of Winter or an early Spring?
Pittsburgh PA
Wigle Whiskey Distillery in the Strip District.
Samples of Phil’s Shadow whiskey were tasted.
Photos taken with Phil.
(Becky B #Januarylight Challenge )
Phil-a-Palooza Night with Punxsutawney Phil. World renowned prognosticator. The members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club are sporting the top hats.
Getting ready for Groundhog Day February 2.
Cheers
Saturday night at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont, PA,
Steve and I went to see Groundhog Day (1993).
My friend Vincie said I’d really enjoy seeing it on the big screen and she was right. She told me how wonderful it was when she saw Casablanca in the theater compared to viewing on TV.
We sat in the front row with plenty of leg room and weren’t too close to the screen as there’s the stage between us. There was even a beer tasting happening in the front when we arrived. And a bar and food available, too. Great audience reaction to seeing the skyline of Pittsburgh in the opening credits. We had a fun night.
Filmed in Woodstock Illinois, my sister and I visited a few years ago on our way back from Rockford. You can see the house used as the bed and breakfast where Bill Murray stayed in the film in this post from five years ago.
Happy Groundhog Day.
My granddaughter Maura has predicted six more weeks of winter prior to Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog.
We’ll know at sunrise if she’s right.
The movie starts at 7:30 PM at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont PA
Laura and Charlie called earlier to wish me a Happy Groundhog Eve.
You might remember my post of Woodstock Illinois where the movie was filmed or the post where Mary Laura and I ventured to Punxsutawney to see Phil at sunrise.
You can see my Groundhog Compendium here
https://rutheh.com/2017/02/01/groundhog-day-compendium/
Punxsutawney Phil, the perennial groundhog, declared he saw his shadow at sunrise, Friday February 2nd. Groundhog Day.
No early Spring for us.
How often is he accurate? Less than 50% of the time according to this article by Justin Boggs.
Hope he’s inaccurate this year.
I’ve been to see this event twice which might be in your bucket list. And Last year’s Groundhog Compendium
Through the years on the blog.Happy Groundhog’s Day.
Groundhog’s Day first celebration in Punxsutawney was in 1886.
Snippets from previous Groundhog’s Day Posts. If you want more pics or details, click on underlined links.
Let’s see if there is a clear day with a shadow or an early Spring for 2017.
History of Groundhog’s Day– from Stormfax
Groundhog Day Filmed in Woodstock Illinois
Punxsutawney Phil Declares 6 More Weeks of Winter
Shout out to Kyle Kline on the bass
And yes we were there Me. Laura and my sister Mary
Groundhog Sports Black and Gold Beads
Michael on left and Jack on the right with Baby Groundhog (a family puppet)
Groundhog BrewSkumps Groundhog
Groundhog Day Movie Capture Pittsburgh SkylineThe Pittsburgh Skyline before all the neon signs on the buildings
If you follow the blog, you know that Laura and Mary and I went to Punxsutawney PA February 2nd to see Phil the Groundhog predict six more weeks of winter!
Groundhog Day has always been a favorite holiday in my family. The celebration breaks up the winter and dreary February days.
It’s a holiday where no cards or gifts are necessary.
Last week on Spring Break, Mary and I took a short (12 mile) side trip to Woodstock Illinois where they filmed the movie Groundhog Day in 1993.
We drove around a bit, walked around the town square and had a nice coffee (see below). Mary is back in New York City and I am back in Pittsburgh now but wanted to share our quick visit to the scene of Groundhog Day movie, Woodstock, Illinois.
the town square
The Opera House served as the Pennsylvania Hotel in the movie
Tip Top Cafe is now a Mexican Restaurant
Groundhog Days are celebrated in February!
Signage,
Mary found this place Ethereal Confections
The most delicious method of making coffee
Our server came out to the place we were sitting and brought us two samples of delicious chocolates, made on the premises
A highlight of our visit to Woodstock Illinois
We haven’t really had a winter yet so at dawn, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it won’t be surprising to hear there’ll be 6 more weeks of winter. I heard that Punxsutawney schools are closed on February 2nd for Groundhog’s Day. It’s a great holiday to celebrate. No gifts. Thursday night I will serve Groundhog Chicken from the NYTimes, late 1980’s recipe which is browned chicken in orange sauce with ginger, cinnamon, Tabasco and slivered almonds served with CousCous and some garlic green beans. I own cooky cutters in the shapes of Groundhogs, a large and a small, but did not make time to roll dough and cut out cookies to bake.
If you want to watch the Groundhog News or see the Live Webcast, click HERE and if I get a chance I will update what the furry prognosticator declares. UPDATE at 7:20 AM Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter!!
There is such a wonderful Chicago tour written by Chicago John on the Cardboardmetravels blog that I am not going to bump it off the other blog with today’s groundhog photo. You have read many of his comments on my blog and you may have clicked on his link from the Bartolini Kitchens to read his stories of childhood memory and the preparation of heirloom Italian recipes.
In 1990, three years before Groudhog Day (Bill Murray movie) hit the theaters and everyone had heard about Phil the Groundhog in Punxsutawney, my sister flew out from NYC to Pittsburgh. In the middle of a foggy night, we drove to Punxsutawney for the event. Mary wrote postcards and mailed them so they would have the February 2nd postmark from Punxsutawney. We had a fun day although it was freezing in the woods and all felt a bit strange. You’ve seen Nativity scenes and Santa in yards at Christmas? Well, the residents have GROUNDHOGS on their lawns. Big wooden cutout groundhogs. We experienced the occasion and I guess it could have been something on a bucket list if we had one. Visit Gobbler’s Knob at least once in your life!
So a single post for Groundhog’s Day and here is my Groundhog Folkmanis Puppet holding the original Flat Ruthie in the backyard after school and I will take some license and say he is looking for his shadow? Only problem is the time of day.
