Tens of Thousands Flock to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA (WENY) -- Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, draws thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of people from across the country and even overseas to watch Phil make his prognostication. Those who attend the event have different reasons for going.
"We're first-timers from Norton, Ohio. This was my daughter's idea... This was not a complete spur of the moment [decision], but it was something we thought about two weeks ago," said Scott Davis.
Groundhog Day was first recognized in 1886 and the following year was the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob. The tradition has stayed the same for over a century, where it's a day for people to take things a little less serious.
One group from Rhode Island said they came because it's been on their bucket list for awhile.
"We've been talking about this since we were teenagers. So on Christmas Eve, we decided we would do it this year," said Catrina Ritchie.
Her friend Dorian Perlorca added, "I know for me it's always looked exciting. We enjoy spending time together, community time, family time. It was a fun drive here and we made the best of it... We're excited to let the festivities begin."
Before Phil came out, Gobbler's Knob was full of energy leading up to the big prediction. From 3 a.m. to just after 7 a.m., there were dancers, singers, and even fireworks.
When Phil emerged from his stump, the crowd cheered and hoped for either an early spring or six more weeks of winter.
"It's Groundhog Day and maybe life is on a loop, but I miss my burrow, I miss my coop. So, I'm heading back down. There's a shadow so get ready for six more weeks of winter!" exclaimed the Vice President of the Inner Circle Club, Dan McGinley, a.k.a. 'Moonshine.'
Fun facts about Punxsutawney Phil:
- He stays young because he drinks 'Groundhog Punch' a.k.a. the 'Elixir of Life'
- He has a wife named Phyllis and two children named Sunny and Shadow
- Phil's full name is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary
- The average groundhog lives to be six to eight years old