
Groundhogs Day with its history and popularity over the years
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advertise your local business here »If you haven't heard the news already Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning and has given a declaration of six more weeks of winter. The question remains will it happen or not? Regardless of Phil's prediction there are six more weeks of the winter season left from a calendar perspective.
Before we get into Phil and how accurate he has been over the years. Let's take a look back at how the tradition started. The tradition of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney began in 1887. It is rooted in a German custom where, on Candlemas Day, if a hedgehog (substituted by groundhogs in the U.S.) saw its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter. If not, an early spring was predicted.
Each year, Phil is brought out of his burrow at Gobbler's Knob to make his weather prediction. If Phil sees his shadow, folklore dictates six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, an early spring is expected. This event attracts thousands of visitors.
Phil's accuracy in predicting the weather has been scrutinized, with NOAA data indicating he's correct about 30% to 39% of the time in recent years. His predictions have historically leaned towards more winter, with 107 predictions of six more weeks of winter since 1887, compared to 21 for an early spring.
According to the lore of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, there is only one Phil, who has lived over 130 years, sustained by a magical "elixir of life" given each summer. This is part of the charm and mythos surrounding Phil, where he's treated more like a perennial character than a typical groundhog.
Phil has a mate named Phyllis, and together they have had offspring, with Phil becoming a father to twins, Sunny and Shadow, announced in March 2024. However, these offspring are not considered in the line of succession for the weather prediction role.
The event has grown in popularity, with live streaming and increased amenities like a welcome center at Gobbler's Knob to accommodate visitors year-round. There have been calls for alternative methods or substitutes for Phil's role, like PETA's suggestion for a "weather reveal" cake to replace the use of Phil in the ceremony.
Beyond Punxsutawney, the event has inspired similar celebrations across North America, and Phil has met notable figures like U.S. presidents and appeared on various media. The "Groundhog Day" film has significantly boosted the event's profile.
Punxsutawney Phil remains a beloved figure, blending folklore, community celebration, and a touch of humor into the annual ritual of predicting spring's arrival in the U.S.