On February 2, 2024, crowds gathered at Gobblers Knob to hear Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction. He emerged at 7 am EST.
This tradition goes as if he sees his shadow, we will have six more weeks of spring. If he doesn’t, then spring is right around the corner.
Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, so we are in for an early spring this year.
Groundhog Day originated when German settlers came to the United States and since then, it’s been a tradition for us Pennsylvanians.
The first Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney was the brainchild of local newspaper editor Clymer Freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters.
Studies have yielded a dismal success rate of around 50 percent for Punxsutawney Phil and have been accurate 80% of the time.
In certain parts of Europe, Christians believed that sunny Candlemas meant another 40 days of cold and snow.
Thanks to the groundhog, we’re able to tell whether we have an early spring or not.
