Punxsutawney Phil's town misses Groundhog Day boost
Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. โThe economic impact was really bad.โThe mayor said the community of roughly 6,000 residents swells with between 10,000 to 15,000 tourists on Groundhog Day. AdโOn a normal Groundhog Day, there are so many festivities and the businesses and restaurants are inundated,โ the Republican said. She said Groundhog Day typically gives local merchants a boost at a time of year when tourism is usually slow. Groundhog Day has its origin in a German legend about a furry rodent.
A gloomy Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil says more winter
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. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. โ 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. Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer but he's certainly not the only one. There are two other high-profile โimposters,โ as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club calls them, in the region. Connecticut marked Groundhog Day with a hedgehog making the prediction after the stateโs official groundhog, Chuckles X, died last year.
Here is what to know about Groundhog Day
I know itโs silly to some, but we do know that the groundhog really exists (unlike some of our favorites). Like any good forecaster, Punxsutawney Phil takes great pride in telling us all what the future will bring. In case you forgot, if Phil sees his shadow then obviously itโs a sunny, clear day and we get six more weeks of winter. What you might not know is this all started around the Christian holiday, Candlemas, which is Feb. 2. The Americans went with a groundhog, and since 1886 that groundhog has been Punxsutawney Phil!