First Groundhog Day
The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on Feb. 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The idea was hatched by local newspaper editor Clymer Freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters â known collectively as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club â on the idea.
The men trekked to a site called Gobblerâs Knob, where the inaugural groundhog became the bearer of bad news when he saw his shadow.
Nowadays, the yearly festivities in Punxsutawney are presided over by a band of local dignitaries known as the Inner Circle. Its members wear top hats and conduct the official proceedings in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. Supposedly they speak to the groundhog in âGroundhogese.â
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic, nor snow, could keep Punxsutawney Phil from getting his job done on Groundhog Day on Tuesday.
The great weather-predicting groundhog could not be stopped, forecasting six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow during the annual spectacle at Gobbler s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Over the 135 year-tradition, it is the 106th time Phil has seen his shadow.
While the event usually draws thousands to the borough in Jefferson County northeast of Pittsburgh, this year s festivities were all virtual.
The exception: About a dozen members of Phil s Inner Circle, a group of men in top hats who organize the event each year. Some cardboard cutouts of some previous attendees were placed around the tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney.
A gloomy Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil says more winter
Associated Press
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Groundhog Club President Jeff Lundy interacts with Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Phil s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year s event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties.
Groundhog Day: Georgia’s famous ‘Beau’ predicts early spring WSBTV.com News Staff
It’s a very cold day in Georgia – but General Beauregard ‘Beau’ Lee has some good news for you: Spring is coming early.
Georgia’s famous critter didn’t see his shadow this morning for Groundhog’s Day.
Gen. Beauregard Lee was a celebrity groundhog for decades in Gwinnett County before he moved to Jackson last year. The current “Beau” is the “bachelor nephew” of the original Gen. Lee, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lee’s new home at the Dauset Trails Nature Center
Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said so far, this winter has had above average temperatures. While we expect cold shots over the next few weeks leading into spring, the overall pattern is for near to above average temperatures for the rest of the winter.