Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States, which is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year. It is the day that the Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.
If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.
How many weather forecasting groundhogs live in the USA?
Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors
How often is Phil's prediction correct?
100% of the time, of course!
How many "Phils" have there been over the years?
There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 125 years! On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.
Are Phil's forecasts made in advance?
No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language only understood by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.
When was Groundhog Day first held?
Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.
Who are these guys in the top hats?
Well, these gentlemen are known as the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle. They're a group of local dignitaries responsible for carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day every year. They're the ones who are not only responsible for planning the events every year, but they're also responsible for the feeding and care of Phil himself!
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was started in the 1880's and continues to this day to protect and perpetuate the legend of Punxsutanwey Phil, the great weather predicting groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil has built this legend over long years of reliable predictions of when spring will begin. The world now pauses its busy pace at 7:20 am EST, February 2nd of each year and waits to hear the prognostication of Punxsutanwey Phil. The Inner Circle of the club manages the event that is free to all attendees. We also arrange a festival that stretches for a week around Groundhog Day with many fun activites held in Punxsuatnwey and surrounding communities.
Phil and the club also travel throughout the world visting people who wish to meet Phil and find out more about his amazing popularity and regal stature.
The club also holds the Groundhog Club Picnic the first Saturday in September of each year. Tickets are sold at the door at Gobblers Knob to all who wish to join the club. The Picnic is held from 1 PM until about 8 PM with food and beverage served all day. The Club makes a Trek to the Phil's Stump at Gobbler's Knob about 4 PM and Phil drinks several sips of Ground Punch a secret recipe of the club that aids in Phils longevity.
Where can I find more information about the Groundhog Club and the Inner Circle?
