2021-12-08 00:37:34
Ever wonder what’s behind Groundhog Day, the unusual— and beloved—PA holiday? Its origins stem from Candlemas, an ancient Christian holiday involving candles, and its adaptation by Germans to include the hedgehog. Clear skies on this day meant a longer or “second” winter. German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania, and in 1886 a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.” One member, an editor of the local newspaper, used his ink to proclaim the local groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, to be the one and only weather prognosticating marmot. Before you knew it, Candlemas became Groundhog Day and today more than 30,000 people attend this annual tradition, with millions more watching on TV and online. Watch Phil’s prediction on Feb. 2 at Gobbler’s Knob and choose from festive activities including story time, top hat decorating, and a Groundhog Day 5K. Explore Punxsutawney to take pictures with Phantastic Phil statues, see historic artifacts and memorabilia plus interactive exhibits at the Gobbler’s Knob Visitor Center, learn about weather phenomena at the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center, and see where Phil lives when he’s not predicting the weather—at Phil’s Burrow.
©Miles Partnership. View All Articles.
Groundhog Day
https://digital.milespartnership.com/article/Groundhog+Day/4173786/731109/article.html