In the United States and Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated every second of February. It’s said if a groundhog comes out of its hibernation hold on this day and sees its own shadow, it’ll scurry back into the hole and predict the future: six more weeks of winter! No shadow means spring is about to start.
It sounds a bit bizarre, but it’s a tradition that has been followed since 1887 (134 years). No matter how cold it is, herds of people roll into Punxsutawney, a small town in Pennsylvania, and wait for the wise groundhog Phil (yep, that’s what they named it) to arrive and give the weather forecast.
The party starts at 3 a.m. on February 2 at the Gobbler’s Knob amphitheater, the location where Phil reveals the prophecy. All night until sunrise, people dance, sing, drink, eat, and make bonfires.
At 6:30 a.m., fireworks color the sky and indicate that Phil’s big moment is here. Would you believe that the party attendees divide themselves into team snow and team spring? After Phil’s prediction, everyone sits for coffee.
How exciting it must be to witness such an event!
Have you seen the movie Groundhog Day (1993)?