Marmots at early morning celebrations Thursday across the country will be hoisted up in observance of Groundhog Day -- the day that, according to ancient European lore, marks approximately six weeks until spring.
And according to Punxsutawney Phil, it's looking to be a long, cold six weeks.
But in the Chicago area, we're still waiting for one local groundhog to awaken from his slumber and predict the weather from precisely the same McHenry county spot that, in 1993, Bill Murray did when he delivered the forecast as Phil Connors in the cult classic film 'Groundhog Day.'
Move over, Gobbler's Knob: Since Wednesday, Woodstock, Illinois, located about 60 miles northwest of Chicago, has been hosting the town's annual multi-day 'Groundhog Days' festival, which celebrates the iconic 1993 movie that was filmed all throughout the town.
The festival features numerous events including showings of the film, a talk with screenwriter Danny Rubin, groundhog trivia, a pub crawl, "Groundhog Day" movie walking tours, and of course, Woodstock Willie's official groundhog Prognostication at 7 a.m.
"If he sees his shadow, it means there will be 6 more weeks of winter," organizers say. "And if he doesn’t see his shadow, it means we will have an early spring."
To wake Woodstock Willie from his "winter nap," the event will include a familiar sounding Polka band playing in a familiar looking square.
"This is our re-enactment of the Groundhog Day ceremony that as a weatherman, Bill Murray reported on; over and over again," according to organizers. "That scene from the movie was filmed right here on the Woodstock Square."
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team -- which does not include a groundhog meteorologist -- Thursday is predicted to be mostly sunny with a high temperature of around 31 degrees. But with a morning in the 20s, it will be much chillier, so "don't forget your booties cause it's coooooold out there!"
What Happens if the Groundhog Sees its Shadow?
Groundhog Day, on Feb. 2, is both a timing milestone -- marking six weeks until spring -- and a tale of folklore, which can be dated back to the fifth century, a post from theNational Weather Service says.
Around that time, the NWS says, the "European Celts believed that animals had certain supernatural powers on special days that were halfway between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox."
"Folklore from Germany and France indicated that when marmots and bears came out of their winter dens too early, they were frightened by their shadow and retreated back inside for four to six weeks," the post continues. "This was adopted by the Romans as Hedgehog Day.When Christianity came into being, the formerly pagan observance also came to be called Candlemas."
The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day, the NWS says, was in a Morgantown, Pennsylvania shopkeeper's journal entry dated Feb. 4, 1841.
"Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap," the entry reads. "But if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."
The rest, as they say is history -- both meteorological and on the big screen.
FAQs
But for all the celebration in Punxsutawney, the movie “Groundhog Day” wasn't filmed in Punxsutawney, which leads to a fair bit of disappointment when people can't find the inn Bill Murray stayed in. Fortunately, the inn is a real, you'll just have to go to Woodstock, Illinois USA, where the movie was shot.
Where did they film the Groundhog Day movie? ›
1: None of the scenes from the 1993 film Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, were filmed in Punxsutawney, PA. Most of the film was shot in Woodstock, IL, which is close to Chicago, the home base of director Harold Ramis.
How many Punxsutawney Phil's have died? ›
It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of "groundhog punch" or "elixir of life" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall. The lifespan of a groundhog in the wild is roughly six years.
Where is the Groundhog Day groundhog located? ›
Punxsutawney Phil's fame began to spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day predictions. Today, over 20,000 fans come to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day.
Is the old man in Groundhog Day Phil's dad? ›
Was the old man Phil's father? No. The man was simply a homeless man that Phil decided to help. Phil just affectionately called him "Dad" and "Pop".
Where is the house from Groundhog Day? ›
Cherry Tree Inn B&B | Groundhog Day House | Woodstock, IL.
How old is Punxsutawney Phil? ›
They can be seen by the public through a viewing window. Phil is not exactly a young dad, the club says. He is "officially" 138 years old.
How accurate is the Groundhog Day? ›
Female groundhogs' handlers say they're more accurate than Phil. In Massachusetts, officials tout Ms. G's accuracy rate of 64%, which bests Punxsutawney Phil. The most famous groundhog's accuracy rate in recent years is around 40%, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in 2023.
How long do groundhogs live? ›
Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Breeding: Groundhogs tend to be solitary except in the spring when a litter of four to six young are born.
Does Punxsutawney Phil have a wife? ›
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — Punxsutawney Phil and his wife Phyllis shared some big news for Mother's Day. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced the names of the pups of the “first family of groundhogs.”
Types of Food
Groundhogs are primarily herbivores and rely on typical garden crops; however, they will sometimes feed on some insects and worms: Greens like lettuce, alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, daisies, red mulberry and hackberry leaves. Trees (specifically bark and twigs) like black cherry and dogwood.
How old is Phil the groundhog in 2024? ›
How old is Phil the Groundhog? According to the club that cares for him, Phil has been making predictions since 1886, which would make him 138. The site also says Punxsutawney Phil gets "longevity from drinking the elixir of life, a secret recipe." Most groundhogs live up to 14 years.
Can you meet Punxsutawney Phil? ›
Come to our visitor's center at Gobbler's Knob and spend your Sunday afternoon with the legendary Punxsutawney Phil and a few of the Groundhog Club Inner Circle members.
What are groundhogs good for? ›
Yet these nearsighted mammals play an essential role in the ecosystem by providing food for larger predators. Their burrows also offer shelter to foxes, reptiles, amphibians and others. Groundhogs need their beauty sleep. From late fall through early spring, groundhogs hibernate in their burrows.
How many times has Punxsutawney Phil been replaced? ›
How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions since 1886! Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe.
Why didn't they film Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney? ›
Harold Ramis said:
“We didn't use Punxsutawney for the film because Punxsutawney itself didn't have a real town center that looked very good on camera, so we wanted a town that looked perfect so the town you'll see is Woodstock, IL.
Is Gobbler's Knob a real place? ›
While the community's downtown is quaint, there's another location that draws tourists from near and far: Gobbler's Knob. Each February, hundreds of visitors and locals alike flock to a wooded location known as Gobbler's Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil predict when spring will arrive.
Where does Phil stay in Punxsutawney? ›
She doesn't receive the Elixir of Life so she will not live forever like Phil. Where does Phil live? In his burrow of course! It is a manmade zoo that is climate controlled and light regulated.
Why did they film Groundhog Day in Illinois? ›
Well, we had no idea the movie Groundhog Day was not filmed there. The movie was actually filmed in Illinois because Bill Murray demanded a filming location within five hours of his Chicago home.
