The origins of Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil

[phkrause]

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The spotlight will be on Gobbler’s Knob in western Pennsylvania early Friday morning, when handlers of a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil will announce whether he saw his own shadow and predicts six more weeks of winter or an early spring.

https://apnews.com/article/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-pennsylvania-phil-winter-b037d58615f7b5f0007a7153a888e263?

[phkrause]

Frito Lay Created 8 Different ‘Groundhog Day’ Ads to Air Across ABC All Day Friday (EXCLUSIVE)

When it comes to Lay’s potato chips, it’s long been hard to eat just one. On Friday on ABC, it may also be hard to watch just a single commercial for the popular snack.

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/frito-lay-groundhog-day-tv-commercials-abc-1235893788/?

[phkrause]

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring

The world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, did not see his shadow after emerging from his den in Gobbler's Knob, Pa., on Friday.

https://www.axios.com/2024/02/02/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-prediction?

[phkrause]

Punxsutawney Phil, the spring-predicting groundhog, and wife Phyllis are parents of 2 babies

Now we know what Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who predicts whether an early spring will arrive each Feb. 2, does on the other 364 days.

https://apnews.com/article/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-babies-839fa23e87006f75bc4eb716e55601e7?

[phkrause]

Punxsutawney Phil's big party

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil yesterday. Photo: Barry Reeger/AP GOBBLER'S KNOB, Pa. — Punxsutawney Phil may get skewered for his iffy weather predictions. But his parties don't miss, Axios Pittsburgh's Chrissy Suttles writes. Why it matters: 40,000+ visitors gathered yesterday to celebrate western Pennsylvania's prophetic groundhog and watch as he declared six more weeks of winter. The legendary woodchuck ascends from his stump around 7:30 a.m. on Groundhog Day to give his forecast. True believers poured into Gobbler's Knob at 3 a.m. when it opened. Some lined up for shuttles at 9 p.m. the night before.

[SamSimple]

 

2 hours ago, phkrause said:

True believers poured into Gobbler's Knob at 3 a.m. when it opened. Some lined up for shuttles at 9 p.m. the night before.

How wonderful for them.  

[phkrause]

Punxsutawney Prophecy

The nation's attention turns to western Pennsylvania this morning to watch the country's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, determine whether 2026 will bring an early spring or a longer winter. The prescient land-beaver will pick one of two scrolls (just past 7 am ET), each containing separate wintry prophecies. As is tradition, the slumberous whistle-pig will join his top-hatted crew to see whether he'll spot his shadow (foretelling six more weeks of winter) or relax a bit with his admiring fans (predicting an early spring). Phil is right about 35% of the time (see visualization)—or an impressive 65% if you flip the somewhat arbitrary rules. The ceremony was originally conceived by a local newspaper editor in 1886, but has its roots in Eastern European celebrations of the midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox—and also falls on the lesser-known Christian holiday, Candlemas. Historical accounts suggest farmers used the appearance of hibernating mammals to signal spring. In reality, science suggests the salacious marmot likely appears to check for mates.  Editor's note: Much like Phil, our preview has become a tradition at 1440—and after eight years, we've run out of ways to describe the critter. Know a different name for groundhogs? Let us know at editorial@join1440.com!

[phkrause]

Groundhog Day highlights: Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter

Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather Monday, a forecast sure to disappoint many after what’s already been a long, cold season across large parts of the United States.

https://apnews.com/live/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-updates-2-2-2026?