Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day 2005 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Type	Cultural
Significance	Predicts the arrival of spring
Celebrations	Announcing whether a groundhog sees its shadow after it emerges from its burrow
Date	February 2
Frequency	Annual

Groundhog Day (Canadian French: Jour de la Marmotte; Pennsylvania German: Grundsaudaag, Murmeltiertag) is a traditional holiday celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then the spring season will arrive early, some time before the vernal equinox; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its den, and winter weather will persist for six more weeks.^[1]

Modern customs of the holiday involve early morning celebrations to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge,^[2] social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.^[3]

Groundhog Day was adopted in the U.S. in 1887. Clymer H. Freas was the editor of the local paper Punxsutawney Spirit at the time, and he began promoting the town’s groundhog as the official "Groundhog Day meteorologist".^[4]

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition,^[5] received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day.^[6]

History

The celebration began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has its origins in ancient European weather lore, in which a badger or a sacred bear is the prognosticator, as opposed to a groundhog.^[7] It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc (the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 2 and also involves weather prognostication^[8]), and to St. Swithun's Day on July 15.

Historical origins

The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels.

Banner of Grundsow Lodsh Nummer Sivva (Groundhog Lodge Number Seven), of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

The first documented American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry,^[9] dated February 4, 1841, by Morgantown, Pennsylvania, storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans,^[10] the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.

From England, the poem:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.^[1]

1. ^ "Groundhog Day". Stormfax Weather Almanac. 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2015.

From Scotland, the poem:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.^[1]

1. ^ Cite error: The named reference punxsutawney was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

From Germany, the poem:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.^[1]

1. ^ Cite error: The named reference punxsutawney was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Alternative origin theories

In some western countries in the Northern Hemisphere, the 'official' first day of spring is almost seven weeks (46–48 days) after Groundhog Day, on March 20 or March 21; in others, that date is traditionally the middle of spring, just as the solstice in June is midsummer day.

The custom could have been a folk embodiment of the confusion created by the collision of two calendar systems. Some ancient traditions marked the change of season at cross-quarter days such as Imbolc when daylight first makes significant progress against the night. Other traditions held that spring did not begin until the length of daylight overtook night at the Vernal Equinox. So an arbiter, the groundhog/hedgehog, was incorporated as a yearly custom to settle the two traditions. Sometimes spring begins at Imbolc, and sometimes winter lasts six more weeks until the equinox.^[11]

Another theory states that the groundhog naturally comes out of hibernation in central Pennsylvania in early February because of the increasing average temperature; under this theory, if German settlement had been centered further north, Groundhog Day would take place at a later date.^[12]

Locations

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000^[13] have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886.^[14] Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County,^[15] the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County,^[16] and the Sinnamahoning Valley of Bucks County.^[17]

The day is observed with various ceremonies at other locations in North America,^[18] including Wiarton, Ontario,^[19] the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia,^[20] and the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas (which has what is claimed to be the second largest Groundhog celebration in the world).^[21]

Predictions of various groundhogs since 2008

Date	Prediction	Groundhog	Location
2016	6 more weeks of winter[22]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2016	6 more weeks of winter[23]	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2016	Early spring[24]	Chuckles	Manchester, Connecticut
2016	6 more weeks of winter[25]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2016	Early spring[26]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2016	Early spring[27]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2016	6 more weeks of spring[28]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2016	Early spring[29]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2016	Early spring[30]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2016	Early spring[31]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2016	Early spring[32]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2016	Early spring[33]	T-Boy the Nutria	New Orleans, Louisiana
2016	Early spring[34]	Woodstock Willie	Woodstock, Illinois
2015	Early spring[35]	Balzac Billy	Balzac, Alberta
2015	Early spring[36]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2015	6 more weeks of winter[37]	Chattanooga Chuck	Chattanooga, Tennessee
2015	Early spring[38]	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2015	6 more weeks of winter[39]	Chuckles	Manchester, Connecticut
2015	Early spring[40]	Cocalico Cal	Ephrata, Pennsylvania
2015	Early spring[41]	Dover Doug	Dover, Pennsylvania
2015	Early spring[42]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2015	6 more weeks of winter[43]	Fred	Val d'Espoir, Quebec
2015	Early spring[44]	French Creek Freddie	French Creek, West Virginia
2015	Early spring[45]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2015	6 more weeks of winter[46]	Grady the Groundhog	Chimney Rock, North Carolina
2015	6 more weeks of winter[47]	Holtsville Hal	Holtsville, New York
2015	Disputed[48]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2015	Early spring[49]	Lawrenceville Lucy	Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
2015	6 more weeks of winter[47]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2015	Early spring[50]	Manitoba Merv	Winnipeg, Manitoba
2015	6 more weeks of winter[40]	Mount Joy Minnie	Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
2015	Early spring[46]	Nibbles	Asheville, North Carolina
2015	Early spring[40]	Octorara Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2015	6 more weeks of winter[51]	Oil Springs Ollie	Oil Springs, Ontario
2015	6 more weeks of spring[52]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2015	6 more weeks of winter[41]	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2015	6 more weeks of winter[53]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2015	6 more weeks of winter[54]	Queen Charlotte	Charlotte, North Carolina
2015	6 more weeks of winter[55]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2015	Early spring[56]	Sir Walter Wally	Raleigh, North Carolina
2015	Early spring[57]	Staten Island Chuck (with Charlotte Jr. serving as stand-in)	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2015	Early spring[58]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2015	Early spring[59]	Susquehanna Sherman	Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2015	Early spring[60]	T-Boy the Nutria	New Orleans, Louisiana
2015	6 more weeks of winter[61]	Uni	Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2015	6 more weeks of winter[62]	Western Maryland Murray	Cumberland, Maryland
2015	Early spring[55]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2015	Early spring[50]	Winnipeg Willow	Winnipeg, Manitoba
2015	6 more weeks of winter[63]	Woodstock Willie	Woodstock, Illinois
2015	6 more weeks of winter[64]	Woody (with Murray serving as stand-in)	Howell, Michigan
2014	Early spring[65]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2014	6 more weeks of winter	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2014	6 more weeks of winter[66]	Dover Doug	Dover, Pennsylvania
2014	6 more weeks of winter	Dundas Donna	Toronto, Ontario
2014	Early spring[67]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2014	Early spring [68]	Fred	Val d'Espoir, Quebec
2014	Early spring[69]	Holtsville Hal	Holtsville, New York
2014	Early spring[69]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2014	6 more weeks of spring[70]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2014	6 more weeks of winter[66]	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2014	6 more weeks of winter[71]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2014	6 more weeks of winter[72]	Staten Island Chuck (with Charlotte Sr. serving as stand-in)	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2014	6 more weeks of winter[73]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2014	Early spring[74]	Susquehanna Sherman	Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2014	Early spring[75]	Winnipeg Willow	Winnipeg, Manitoba
2013	Early spring[76]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2013	6 more weeks of winter	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2013	6 more weeks of winter[77]	Dover Doug	Dover, Pennsylvania
2013	Early spring[78]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2013	6 more weeks of winter[79]	Fred	Val d'Espoir, Quebec
2013	Early spring[80]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2013	6 more weeks of winter[81]	Flatiron Freddy	Boulder, Colorado
2013	6 more weeks of winter[82]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2013	6 more weeks of winter[79]	Manitoba Merv	Winnipeg, Manitoba
2013	Early spring[83]	Nibbles	Asheville, North Carolina
2013	6 more weeks of winter[84]	Octorara Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2013	6 more weeks of spring[85]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2013	6 more weeks of winter[86]	Pine Grove Grover	Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
2013	6 more weeks of winter[77]	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2013	Early spring[87]	Potomac Phil	Washington, D.C.
2013	Early spring[88]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2013	Early spring[79]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2013	Early spring[89]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2013	6 more weeks of winter[81]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2013	6 more weeks of winter[77]	Susquehanna Sherman	Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2013	Early spring[90]	T-Boy the Nutria	New Orleans, Louisiana
2013	6 more weeks of winter[91]	Western Maryland Murray	Cumberland, Maryland
2013	Early spring[79]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2013	Early spring[79]	Winnipeg Willow	Winnipeg, Manitoba
2013	Early spring[92]	Woody	Howell, Michigan
2012	6 more weeks of winter[93]	Balzac Billy	Balzac, Alberta
2012	Early spring[94]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2012	Early spring[95]	Chattanooga Chuck	Chattanooga, Tennessee
2012	6 more weeks of winter	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2012	Early spring[96]	Chuckles	Manchester, Connecticut
2012	Early spring[97]	Dover Doug	Dover, Pennsylvania
2012	Early spring[98]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2012	6 more weeks of winter[99]	Fred	Val d'Espoir, Quebec
2012	Early spring[100]	French Creek Freddie	French Creek, West Virginia
2012	Early spring[101]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2012	6 more weeks of winter[102]	Grady the Groundhog	Chimney Rock, North Carolina
2012	Early spring[103]	Gus	Athens, Georgia
2012	Early spring[104]	Holtsville Hal	Holtsville, New York
2012	Early spring[105]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2012	6 more weeks of winter[106]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2012	Early spring[107]	Mortimer	Garner, North Carolina
2012	6 more weeks of winter[108]	Mount Joy Minnie	Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
2012	Early spring[102]	Nibbles	Asheville, North Carolina
2012	Early spring[109]	Octoraro Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2012	Early spring[108]	Patty Pagoda	Reading, Pennsylvania
2012	6 more weeks of spring[110]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2012	Early spring[97]	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2012	6 more weeks of winter[111]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2012	6 more weeks of winter[112]	Queen Charlotte	Charlotte, North Carolina
2012	Early spring[113]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2012	Early spring[114]	Sir Thomas Hastings	Hastings, Nebraska
2012	6 more weeks of winter[107]	Sir Walter Wally	Raleigh, North Carolina
2012	Early spring[115]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2012	Early spring[116]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2012	Early spring[97]	Susquehanna Sherman	Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2012	Early spring[117]	T-Boy the Nutria	New Orleans, Louisiana
2012	6 more weeks of winter[118]	Uni	Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2012	6 more weeks of winter[119]	Western Maryland Murray	Cumberland, Maryland
2012	Early spring[120]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2012	Early spring[121]	Woodstock Willie	Woodstock, Illinois
2012	Early spring[122]	Woody	Howell, Michigan
2012	Early spring[123]	Wynter the Groundhog	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2011	6 more weeks of winter[124]	Balzac Billy	Balzac, Alberta
2011	Early spring[125]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2011	6 more weeks of winter	Chesapeake Chuck	Newport News, Virginia
2011	Early spring[126]	Chuckles	Manchester, Connecticut
2011	6 more weeks of winter[127]	Dover Doug	Dover, Pennsylvania
2011	Early spring[128]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2011	Early spring[129]	French Creek Freddie	French Creek, West Virginia
2011	Early spring[130]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2011	Early spring[131]	Grady the Groundhog	Chimney Rock, North Carolina
2011	Early spring[132]	Gus	Athens, Georgia
2011	6 more weeks of winter[133]	Holtsville Hal	Holtsville, New York
2011	Early spring[134]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2011	Early spring[135]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2011	6 more weeks of winter[136]	Octoraro Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2011	Early summer[137]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2011	6 more weeks of winter[127]	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2011	Early spring[138]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2011	Early spring[139]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2011	6 more weeks of winter[140]	Sir Walter Wally	Raleigh, North Carolina
2011	Early spring[141]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2011	6 more weeks of winter[142]	Stormy Marmot	Aurora, Colorado
2011	Early spring[127]	Susquehanna Sherman	Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2011	Early spring[143]	T-Boy the Nutria	New Orleans, Louisiana
2011	Early spring[144]	Tumbleweed	Brookfield, Illinois
2011	6 more weeks of winter[145]	Uni	Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2011	6 more weeks of winter[146]	Western Maryland Murray	Cumberland, Maryland
2011	Early spring[139]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2011	6 more weeks of winter[122]	Woody	Howell, Michigan
2010	Early spring[147]	Balzac Billy	Balzac, Alberta
2010	Early spring[148]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2010	Early spring[149]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2010	Early spring[150]	French Creek Freddie	French Creek, West Virginia
2010	Early spring[151]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2010	Early spring[152]	Gus	Athens, Georgia
2010	Early spring[153]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2010	Early spring[154]	Octoraro Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2010	6 more weeks of spring[155]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2010	6 more weeks of winter	Poor Richard	York, Pennsylvania
2010	6 more weeks of winter[111]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2010	Early spring[152]	Queen Charlotte	Charlotte, North Carolina
2010	6 more weeks of winter	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2010	Early spring[156]	Sir Walter Wally	Raleigh, North Carolina
2010	6 more weeks of winter[157]	Smith Lake Jake	Graysville, Alabama
2010	Early spring[158]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2010	Early spring[159]	Uni	Myerstown, Pennsylvania
2010	6 more weeks of winter[160]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2010	Early spring[161]	Woodstock Willie	Woodstock, Illinois
2009	6 more weeks of winter[162]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2009	Early spring[163]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2009	Early spring[164]	French Creek Freddie	French Creek, West Virginia
2009	6 more weeks of winter[152]	Gus	Athens, Georgia
2009	6 more weeks of winter[165]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2009	Early spring[166]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2009	6 more weeks of winter[167]	Octoraro Orphie	Quarryville, Pennsylvania
2009	6 more weeks of spring[168]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2009	6 more weeks of winter[169]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2009	Early spring[170]	Queen Charlotte	Charlotte, North Carolina
2009	6 more weeks of winter[171]	Shubenacadie Sam	Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2009	Early spring[172]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2009	6 more weeks of winter[171]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario
2009	6 more weeks of winter[173]	Woodstock Willie	Woodstock, Illinois
2008	Early spring[174]	Balzac Billy	Balzac, Alberta
2008	Early spring[175]	Buckeye Chuck	Marion, Ohio
2008	Early spring[176]	Dunkirk Dave	Dunkirk, New York
2008	Early spring[177]	General Beauregard Lee	Lilburn, Georgia
2008	Early spring[178]	Jimmy the Groundhog	Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
2008	Early spring[179]	Malverne Mel	Malverne, New York
2008	6 more weeks of spring[180]	Pierre C. Shadeaux	New Iberia, Louisiana
2008	6 more weeks of winter[111]	Punxsutawney Phil	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2008	6 more weeks of winter[177]	Queen Charlotte	Charlotte, North Carolina
2008	6 more weeks of winter[181]	Sir Walter Wally	Raleigh, North Carolina
2008	6 more weeks of winter[169]	Smith Lake Jake	Graysville, Alabama
2008	Early spring[179]	Staten Island Chuck	Staten Island, New York City, New York
2008	Early spring[174]	Wiarton Willie	Wiarton, Ontario

Meteorological accuracy

According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time.^[182] However, a Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years found that the weather patterns predicted on Groundhog Day were only 37% accurate over that time period.^[182] According to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions have been correct 39% of the time.^[111] The National Climatic Data Center has described the forecasts as "on average, inaccurate" and stated that "[the] groundhog has shown no talent for predicting the arrival of spring, especially in recent years."^[183]

In popular culture

• At the end of Disney's 1930 Silly Symphonies short film Winter, Mr. Groundhog the Weather Prophet comes out of his hole to determine whether or not there will be more winter. At first, he does not see his shadow, but the clouds clear and his shadow appears, causing him to run back inside. At this point, the winds picks up again and winter continues.
• Tex Avery's 1940 Warner Brothers cartoon Wacky Wildlife features a brief gag with a groundhog that peeks outside, then retreats into a burrow filled with high-tech (for the time) weather equipment.
• The 1941 Woody Woodpecker short Pantry Panic portrays the groundhog as a weather forecaster, although in this case he forecasts the timing of the beginning of winter, not the end of it.
• The 1947 Warner Bros. cartoon One Meat Brawl features Grover Groundhog singing the "Groundhog Song" with music by Carl W. Stalling and lyrics by Warren Foster.^[184]
• In the 1979 Rankin-Bass Christmas TV special Jack Frost, a crucial plot point in the story involves Jack casting his own shadow on Groundhog Day for six more weeks of winter. At the end of the story it is revealed that the narrator (voiced by Buddy Hackett) is the groundhog.
• "Groundhog's Day" appears as the second track from the 1990 album Frizzle Fry by the San Francisco area trio Primus. The song is set on Groundhog Day, from the anthropomorphic perspective of the groundhog. The song's theme deals with growth, perseverance, and fresh starts.
• The 1993 comedy movie Groundhog Day is set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on this day. The main character is forced to relive the day over and over again until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person.^[185]
• In "Franklin and the Grump" from Franklin (Season 3, 2000), the character Mr. Groundhog was an anthropomorphic groundhog with a great interest in meteorology who didn't want to participate in Groundhog Day anymore because there were always those who were upset regardless of what he predicted. He "officially canceled" the holiday, but the title character told his friends and family about the problem and the entire community gathered to give him a day just for him. Mr. Groundhog was later featured as more regular character in the series.
• In Disney's 2006 film Bambi II, Bambi accompanies his friends Thumper and Flower to go and see the Groundhog, whose shadow will foretell if winter will end soon.
• The Man in the Moon is about to choose a new Guardian in the 2012 Dreamworks film Rise of the Guardians, and Bunnymund hopes that it is not the Groundhog.

Similar customs

A similar custom is celebrated among Orthodox Christians in Serbia on February 15 (February 2 according to the local religious Julian calendar) during the feast of celebration of Sretenje or The Meeting of the Lord (Candlemas). It is believed that the bear will awaken from winter dormancy on this day, and if it sees (meets) its own shadow in this sleepy and confused state, it will get scared and go back to sleep for an additional 40 days, thus prolonging the winter. Thus, if it is sunny on Sretenje, it is a sign that the winter is not over yet. If it is cloudy, it is a good sign that the winter is about to end.

In Germany, June 27 is Siebenschläfertag (Seven Sleepers Day). If it rains that day, the rest of summer is supposedly going to be rainy. It might seem to refer to the "Siebenschläfer" squirrel (Glis glis), also known as the "edible dormouse", but it actually commemorates the Seven Sleepers (the actual commemoration day is July 25).

In the United Kingdom, July 15 is known as St Swithun's day. It was traditionally believed that, if it rained on that day, it would rain for the next 40 days and nights.

Mojave Max, a desert tortoise

Even within the U.S. Groundhog Day is not necessarily observed uniformly throughout the entire country; it is sometimes acknowledged differently in western and southeastern states where groundhogs are generally not considered indigenous. In the state of Alaska, for example, Marmot Day is celebrated on February 2 instead.

Likewise the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Clark County, Nevada is home to a similar tradition that has been observed since 2000 with a desert tortoise named Mojave Max.^[186]

Louisiana celebrations also vary somewhat from the traditional Groundhog Day theme. Since about the late 1980s, Groundhog Day in New Orleans has featured T-Boy the Nutria, a coypu based at the Audubon Zoo.^[187] Since 1997 Pierre C. Shadeaux, also a coypu, has been the focus of "Cajun Groundhog Day" festivities in New Iberia. Because of Louisiana's subtropical climate, Pierre actually forecasts either a longer spring or an earlier summer, as opposed to the usual groundhog options of a longer winter or an earlier spring.^[168] Another Louisiana tradition influenced by Groundhog Day occurs in Shreveport^[70] on February 1—one day before Groundhog Day—centering on Claude the Cajun Crawfish.^[188] Claude annually predicts the weather for Northwest Louisiana-area parades held during Mardi Gras season, a season that has a long history in Louisiana but also happens to overlap with Groundhog Day festivities.^[188]

Incidents

Several unforeseen incidents have involved animals handled during Groundhog Day events. During New York City's annual Groundhog Day event at the Staten Island Zoo on February 2, 2009, a groundhog named "Chuck" drew blood when biting Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gloved finger while Bloomberg was trying to lure Chuck out of his wooden shelter.^[189] Five years later, on February 2, 2014, Bloomberg's mayoral successor, Bill de Blasio, dropped "Chuck" (subsequently revealed to be Chuck's granddaughter, "Charlotte"), who seven days later died of "acute internal injuries".^[72][190] At the city's next Groundhog Day event on February 2, 2015, "Staten Island Chuck" walked out of a hutch that an elevator had lifted onto the stage of a portable Plexiglass-enclosed habitat, while de Blasio watched from six feet away.^[57][191]

During Sun Prairie, Wisconsin's annual Groundhog Day celebration on February 2, 2015, "Jimmy the Groundhog" bit Mayor Jonathan Freund's ear while being held by Jimmy's caretaker.^[48] The next day, Freund issued a proclamation that officially pardoned and absolved Jimmy "of any perceived wrongdoing and charges" under the city's ordinance. The proclamation stated that Jimmy had "created an international media sensation, thereby helping the world to learn more about our great City".^[192]

Following the biting incident, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources informed the organization that had sponsored Sun Prairie's celebration that capturing wild animals for exhibit was against the law.^[193][194] The organization's manager then reported that Jimmy had escaped from his hutch before she could respond to these complaints.^[193] Sun Prairie's next Groundhog Day celebration on February 2, 2016, featured a caged groundhog purchased for $1,200, an elected costumed "mascot" and a different mayor.^[194][195]

See also

• Imbolc

Notes

1. Cohen, p. 57.
2. Yoder, p. xii.
3. Rosenberger, Homer Tope (1966). The Pennsylvania Germans: 1891–1965. Lancaster, PA: Pennsylvania German Society. pp. 194–199. OCLC 1745108.
4. "10 Things You Didn't Know About Groundhog Day". LCstyle. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
5. "Pennsylvania Town Awaits Groundhog Day". New York Times. February 2, 1986. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
6. Yoder, pp. 14–15.
7. Yoder, p. i.
8. Yoder, p. 43.
9. History Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania.
10. The attribution to the "Germans" may be based on some German Bauernregeln (farmers' rules) like this one: Wenn sich der Dachs zu Lichtmeß sonnt, so gehet er wieder auf vier Wochen in sein Loch. (If the badger is in the sun at Candlemas, he will have to go back into his hole for another four weeks. Joseph Arnold Lewenau : Der angewandte Fresenius; oder, Sammlung geordneter allgemeiner Witterungs- und sogenannter Bauernregeln: mit beygefügten Erklärungen ihres Grundes und vernünftigen Sinnes zu einem nützlichen Gebrauch ... vorzüglich beym Betriebe der Landwirthschaft. Vienna: J.G. Mösle, 1823, p. 20.
11. Groundhog Day, Margaret Kruesi. Journal of American Folklore. Washington: Summer 2007. Vol. 120, Iss. 477; p. 367+.
12. Coin, Glenn (February 1, 2015). Groundhog Day 2016: Do you trust a rodent to predict the weather? Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
13. Park, PhD, David (2006). "Happy Groundhog Day to You!". Retrieved February 2, 2009.
14. Yoder, p. 9.
15. Yoder, pp. 19–28.
16. Yoder, pp. 29–30.
17. Yoder, pp. 30-31.
18. Yoder, pp. 33.
19. "Hopeful Canadians look to Groundhog Day for predictions of an early spring". Canadian Press. February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
20. "Shubenacadie Sam prepping for Groundhog Day". King's County Register. January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
21. Colleges in the Midwest: Compare Colleges in Your Region (24 ed.). Peterson's. 2009. p. 298. ISBN 9780768926903. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
22. Carter, Andrew, Marion Star (February 2, 2016). "Buckeye Chuck: 6 more weeks of winter". WKYC. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
23. Green, Kevin (February 2, 2016). "Chesapeake Chuck sees his shadow, predicts more winter". WAVY-TV. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
24. "Chuckles VIII Predicts An Early Spring". courant.com. February 2, 2016.
25. Will, Bob (February 2, 2016). "Ground Hog Day 2016". Retrieved February 14, 2016.
26. Morris, Mike (February 2, 2016). "Georgia groundhog predicts early spring". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
27. "Jimmy the Groundhog predicts early spring". Madison, Wisconsin: WISC-TV. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
28. "Pierre C. Shadeaux delivers again, sees no shadow to forecast long spring". iberianet.com. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
29. Samenow, Jason (February 2, 2016). "Groundhog Day 2016: Punxsutawney Phil sees no shadow, predicts early spring". Capital Weather Gang (Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post). Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
30. "Groundhog Day: Shubenacadie Sam, Punxsutawney Phil predict early spring". CTV News. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
31. Rosenberg, Eli (February 2, 2016). "Staten Island Groundhog Makes Star Turn, This Year Without de Blasio". N.Y./Region (New York, New York: The New York Times). Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
32. "Happy Groundhog Day!". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2016.
33. Mike Scott (February 2, 2016). "Groundhog Day 2016: T-boy the nutria predicts early spring". nola.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
34. "No shadow for Woodstock Willie, spring coming early". February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
35. Ramsay, Melissa (February 2, 2015). "Balzac Billy predicts an early spring". CICT. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
36. "Chuck says early spring; Phil disagrees". The Marion Star. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
37. "Chattanooga Chuck Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter". WTVC. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
38. "VLM Groundhog Chesapeake Chuck predicts Early Spring 2015". Newport News, Virginia: Virginia Living Museum. February 3, 2015. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
39. "Chuckles predicts six more weeks of winter". The Hartford Courant. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
40. Rios, Alejandro (February 2, 2015). "2 of Lancaster County's 3 groundhogs predict early spring". LancasterOnline. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
41. Kauffmann, Christina (February 2, 2015). "York's groundhogs predict both more spring and more winter". The York Dispatch. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
42. Will, Bob (February 2, 2015). "Ground Hog Day 2015". Retrieved February 2, 2015.
43. "Fred la marmotte : encore six semaines d'hiver!". Radio-Canada. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
44. Watson, Lindsey (February 2, 2015). "French Creek Freddie Predicts an Early Spring". WDTV. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
45. Morris, Mike (February 2, 2015). "Georgia groundhog predicts early spring". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
46. Wadington, Katie (February 2, 2015). "WNC groundhogs divided: No shadow & early spring for Nibbles at #WNCNatureCenter but @ChimneyRockPark's Grady predicts more winter." Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved February 31, 2015 .
47. Asbury, John (February 2, 2015). "Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel, Punxsutawney Phil say six more weeks of winter; Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring". Newsday. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
48. Ola, Mary Jo (February 2, 2015). "Jimmy the Groundhog's forecast debated; mayor bitten". Madison, Wisconsin: WISC-TV. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
49. "Lawrenceville Lucy Predicts Early Spring". February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
50. "Groundhog Day: Manitoba rodents predict early spring". CBWT. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
51. Michaels, Lee (February 2, 2015). "Six More Weeks Of Winter". BlackburnNews.com. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
52. Corey Vaughn (February 2, 2015). "Crowd cheers Pierre’s forecast". iberianet.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
53. Benson, Preston (February 2, 2015). "Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow; six more weeks of winter!". WNHT.
54. "'Queen Charlotte' sees shadow, predicts 6 more weeks of winter". WSOC-TV. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
55. Casey, Liam (February 2, 2015). "Wiarton Willie predicts early spring, Shubenacadie Sam disagrees". The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
56. "Sir Walter Wally predicts short winter". WNCN. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
57. Steussy, Lauren (February 2, 2015). "Groundhog Day 2015: Staten Island Chuck calls for an early spring". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
58. "Marmot Predicts an Early Spring". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2015.
59. Argento, Mike (February 2, 2015). "Dead York groundhog vs. meteorologists. Who wins?". York Daily Record. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
60. Juan Sanchez (February 2, 2015). "T-boy the Nutria counters Punxsutawney Phil; Believes spring coming sooner". wdsu.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
61. Long, Jeremy (February 2, 2015). "Uni, the groundhog, predicts six more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
62. Bittner, Steven (February 2, 2015). "Groundhog Day in Cumberland". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
63. Starks, John (February 2, 2015). "Oh no! Woodstock Willie sees his shadow". Chicago Daily Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
64. "Murray the Groundhog says six more weeks of winter". WSYM-TV. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
65. Puskar, Gene J.; Rubinkam, Michael, Associated Press (February 2, 2014). "Groundhog Day: Buckeye Chuck, Punxsutawney Phil make predictions". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
66. Czech, Ted (February 2, 2014). NWS predicts 4 to 8 inches of snow; most groundhogs call for 6 more weeks of winter. Evening Sun (Hanover, PA). Retrieved 2014-2-02.
67. Will, Bob (January 11, 2014). "Dunkirk Dave Did NOT See His Shadow". Dunkirk Dave. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
68. Costisella, Marie-Claude (February 2, 2014). "Fred de Val d’Espoir Predicts and Early Spring" (in French). Regional Weeklies Quebecor Media. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
69. Armaghan, Sarah and Priscilla Korb (February 2, 2014). Malverne Mel, Holtsville Hal don't see shadows, call for early spring. Newsday. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
70. Will Chapman (February 25, 2014). "Our Pierre, original Cajun Groundhog, more accurate". iberianet.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
71. Sturtz, Ken (February 2, 2014). "Groundhog Day 2014: Did Punxsutawney Phill see his shadow?". The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY).
72. Tom Wrobleski (February 2, 2014). "Fumbled Chuck joins 'forkgate' among de Blasio's Staten Island flubs (photos, video)". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
73. "It’s Groundhog Day!". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2014.
74. Puskar, Gene (February 2, 2014). Punxsutawney Phil, Poor Richard, Dover Doug predict longer winter. Associated Press. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
75. Prest, Ashley (February 2, 2014). "Willow the groundhog says early spring coming". Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg, MB).
76. Williams, Mark (February 2, 2013). "Spring comes early according to Buckeye Chuck". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
77. "Groundhog Day: Local groundhogs disagree with Punxsutawney Phil, say more winter". The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA). February 2, 2013.
78. "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". Dunkirk Observer (Dunkirk, NY). February 2, 2013.
79. "Winnipeg Willow predicts an early spring on Groundhog Day, while Manitoba Merv says more winter to come". CTV Winnipeg. February 2, 2013.
80. Punzel, Denis (February 11, 2013). "Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog predicts early spring". Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI).
81. Bates, Jim (February 2, 2013). "Happy Groundhog Day, Colorado-style". The Denver Post (Denver, CO).
82. Conry, Tara (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day: Malverne Mel Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter". Patch.com.
83. Motsinger, Carol (February 2, 2013). "Local groundhog: Spring on the way". Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC).
84. "Octorara Orphie predicts more winter". WGAL. February 2, 2013.
85. Zack Lasalle (February 3, 2013). "No Shadow: Pierre says sweltering temps put off". iberianet.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
86. Marchiano, Amy (February 3, 2013). "Pine Grove's Grover: 6 more weeks of winter". The Republican-Herald (Pottsville, PA).
87. Gomez, Luis (February 2, 2013). "Potomac Phil Predicts an Early Spring and More Political Gridlock". Borderstan.
88. Samenow, Jason (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day 2013: No shadow for Punxsutawney Phil, so spring is around the corner". The Washington Post (Washington, DC).
89. Lemire, Jonathan (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day 2013: Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring for New York City: Chuck did not see his shadow when he came out of his burrow at the Staten Island Zoo this morning". New York Daily News (New York, New York). Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
90. "On Groundhog Day, T-Boy, the Audubon Zoo nutria, predicts that spring is here to stay". nola.com. February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
91. "Murray’s meaning". Cumberland Times-News (Cumberland, MD). February 2, 2013.
92. "Michigan’s Official Groundhog ‘Woody’ Predicts An Early Spring". CBS Detroit. Detroit, MI. February 2, 2013.
93. "Groundhog Day 2012: Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam predict early spring; Punxsutawney Phil calls for more winter". National Post. February 2, 2012.
94. "Buckeye Chuck in Marion fails to see shadow, 'predicts' spring is near". Mansfield News Journal. Mansfield, OH. February 2, 2012.
95. "Chattanooga Chuck predicts warm, wet weather". Nooga.com. February 2, 2012.
96. DeRosa, Ronald (February 2, 2012). "POLL: Punxsutawney Phil Vs. Chuck". Naugatuck Patch (Naugatuck, CT).
97. Argento, Mike (February 2, 2012). "Is winter over? The local groundhogs say yes, Phil says six more weeks". York Daily News (York, PA).
98. Riley, Ed (February 2, 2012). "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". WKBW-TV (Buffalo, NY).
99. "Groundhog Day: Quebec groundhog disagrees with Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie". The Gazette (Montreal, CA). February 2, 2012.
100. "Groundhog Day 2012". WTRF. Wheeling, WV. February 2, 2012.
101. "Beau doesn't see his shadow! An early spring is just around the corner". General Beauregard Lee's official Twitter. February 2, 2012.
102. "Spring is here to stay, says Asheville's groundhog, Nibbles". Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC). February 2, 2012.(subscription required)
103. "Georgia's groundhog predicts early spring". Athens Banner-Herald (Athens, GA). February 2, 2012.
104. Dymski, Gary (February 2, 2012). "Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel disagree on winter". Long Island Newsday (Melville, NY).
105. "Groundhog's Forecast: More Winter". KBOI (Boise, ID). February 2, 2012.
106. Conry, Tara (February 2, 2012). "Malverne Mel predicts six more weeks of winter". Malverne-West Hempstead (Patch.com).
107. "Sir Walter Wally, Mortimer disagree about spring again". Raleigh News Observer (Raleigh, NC). February 2, 2012.
108. "Groundhogs Predict Fate Of Winter; Punxsutawney Phil Joined By Others In Valley". WGAL. Lancaster, PA. February 2, 2012.
109. Knapp, Tom (February 2, 2012). "Octoraro Orphie predicts an early spring". Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA).
110. Hope Rurik (February 2, 2012). "Shadeaux sees neaux shadow: It's official! Pierre, our nutria, says it'll be a longer spring". iberianet.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
111. "Groundhog Day". Stormfax Weather Almanac. 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
112. Needham, Nick (February 2, 2012). "Queen Charlotte sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter". WBTV (Charlotte, NC).
113. "This just in: ShubenacadieSam didn't see his shadow. Spring is on the way folks, as long as you trust adorable rodents.". Global Halifax. February 2, 2012.
114. "Spring's Right Around the Corner". Hastings Tribune (Hastings, NE). February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
115. Silverstein, Irving (February 2, 2012). "Groundhog Day 2012: Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring". Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY).
116. "Michigan’s Official Groundhog Predicts An Early Spring". WKBD-TV CBS Detroit. February 2, 2012.
117. Sara Pagones (February 6, 2012). "Spring ahead: A Monologue by Sara Pagones". nola.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
118. Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2012). "Uni's close call: 6 more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, PA).
119. "African, American concur with six more weeks of winter prediction". WCBC (Cumberland, MD). February 2, 2012.
120. "Ground Hog Day update". CFTR. Toronto. February 3, 2013.
121. "Woodstock Willie Predicts Early Spring: Midwestern Groundhog Disagrees With Punxsutawney Phil". Huffington Post. February 2, 2012.
122. Brookbank, Mike (February 2, 2012). "Woody the Woodchuck predicts early spring for Michigan". Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI).
123. Bilstad, Erik (2012). "Milwaukee's Groundhog Did Not See Shadow". Today's TMJ 4. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
124. "Winter's not over yet". CFCN-TV (Calgary, Alberta, CA). February 2, 2011.
125. Seitz, Colleen (February 2, 2011). "No shadows for Buckeye Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil mean early spring". WEWS (Cleveland, OH).
126. Soper, Kym (February 2, 2011). "No shadow! Chuckles predicts early spring at Lutz". Journal-Inquirer (Manchester, CT).
127. "Dover Doug Delivers Groundhog Report". York Daily Record (York, PA). February 2, 2011.
128. Carey, Elizabeth (February 2, 2011). "Groundhogs call for spring as storm flops". Buffalo Business Journal (Buffalo, NY).
129. Schrock, Jeff (February 2, 2011). "French Creek Freddie Predicts Early Spring for 2011". The State Journal (Charleston, WV).
130. "General Beau Lee Doesn't See Shadow; Predicts Early Spring!". Yellow River Game Ranch. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
131. "Chimney Rock groundhog doesn't see his shadow". Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC). February 2, 2011.
132. "Athens’ groundhog emerges to predict spring". The Red and Black (Athens, GA). February 2, 2011. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011.
133. Bolger, Timothy (February 2, 2011). "Holtsville Hal predicts long winter on Groundhog Day". Long Island Press (Syosset, NY).
134. Henzl, Ann-Elise (February 2, 2011). "Believe it or not, Groundhog Predicts Early Spring". WUWM (Milwaukee, WI). Archived from the original on May 24, 2012.
135. Conry, Tara (February 2, 2011). "Malverne Mel Bids Grizzly Winter Early Goodbye". Malverne-WestHempstead (Patch.com) (Malverne, NY).
136. "Octorara Orphie sees 6 more weeks of winter". Lancaster Online (Lancaster, PA). February 2, 2011.
137. "Groundhog, nutria predict early spring and summer". heraldguide.com. February 10, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
138. "Punxsutawney Phil Calls For An Early Spring". KDKA. Pittsburgh, PA. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
139. "Wiarton Willie predicts early spring". Toronto Star. February 2, 2011.
140. "Sir Walter Wally predicts more winter". WTVD (Raleigh, NC). February 2, 2011.
141. "Groundhog Day 2011: It's an early spring! Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow". Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY). February 2, 2011.
142. "No matter what, there will be weather". Hudson, NY: Hudson Register-Star. February 3, 2011.
143. Chris Evans (February 2, 2011). "Punxsutawney Phil and T-boy Nutria Come Up with Same Prediction [VIDEO]". mykisscountry937.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
144. "Snow even too much for Willie the groundhog". Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago, IL). February 2, 2011.
145. Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2011). "Uni says we'll see six more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, pa). Retrieved February 2, 2011.
146. "Groundhog". WCBC. 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
147. Wylie, David (February 2, 2002). "Alberta's Balzac Billy disagrees with Ontario's Wiarton Willie". Canada.com. Canwest News Service.
148. Willis, Donna (February 2, 2010). "Weather-Predicting Groundhogs Don’t Agree". NBC4. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011.
149. "2010". Official Dunkirk Dave site.
150. "Groundhog Day". Charleston Daily Mail (Charleston, WV). February 3, 2010.
151. "Groundhog Day 2008 at the Yellow River Game Ranch!". Yellowrivergameranch.com. February 2, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
152. Vanhoose, Joe (February 3, 2010). "Furry forecaster sees early spring". Athens Banner-Herald (Athens, GA).
153. "Groundhog Central". Groundhog Central. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
154. Crable, Ad (February 2, 2010). "Spring almost here, Orphie says". Lancaster Newspapers. Lancaster, PA.
155. "Groundhog Day: Louisiana/Festivities rooted in local culture". therecordlive.com. February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
156. Shaffer, Josh (February 2, 2010). "Sir Walter Wally, Punxsutawney Phil disagree on winter's end". Raleigh News Observer (Raleigh, NC).
157. "Smith Lake Jake Visits Wake-Up!". Wake up, Alabama!. CBS42. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011.
158. McWeeney, Michael (February 2, 2010). "Staten Island's famous Groundhog Chuck calls for an early spring". Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY).
159. Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2010). "Uni's forecast: Early spring". Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, PA).
160. "Mix of cheers and groans as Wiarton Willie predicts six more weeks of winter". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010.
161. Nguyen, Thao. "Woodstock Willie: An early spring is coming". Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL). Retrieved February 2, 2010.
162. Willis, Donna (February 2, 2009). "Buckeye Chuck Makes Prediction: 6 More Weeks". NBC4i.com (Columbus, OH). Retrieved November 27, 2013.
163. "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". Evening Observer (Dunkirk, NY). February 2, 2009.
164. "Ground Hog". Wvmetronews.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
165. "Groundhog Day". Sun Prairie Chamber Of Commerce. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
166. Goldstein, Ari; Mallia, Joseph (February 2, 2009). "Split decision for furry forecasters". Long Island Newsday (Melville, NY). Retrieved December 11, 2010.
167. Umble, Chad (February 2, 2009). "Orphie says: Button up!". Intellignecer Journal (Lancaster, PA). Retrieved December 11, 2010.
168. Lindsey Meaux (February 3, 2009). "Cajun groundhog predicts lengthy spring for the South: Pierre C. Shadeaux doesn't see his shadow". Daily Reveille (p. 1).
169. "Groundhog Predicts More Winter Weather". Associated Press. 2008-02-02. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008.
170. "N.C. Groundhog, Hog Differ On Winter Weather Outlook". WSOC Charlotte. Charlotte, NC. February 2, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
171. "No surprises as Wiarton Willy and pals predict more winter". London Free Press (London, ON). February 2, 2009.
172. Silverstein, Irving (February 2, 2009). "Staten Island Chuck predicts spring is near". Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY).
173. Keeshan, Chuck (February 2, 2009). "Woodstock Willie: Bundle up; more winter ahead". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL). Retrieved December 11, 2010.
174. "Canada's groundhogs agree: Spring's coming early". CTV. February 2, 2008.
175. Cooley, Patrick (February 1, 2016). "Groundhog Day 2016: Buckeye Chuck's very spotty prediction record since 2006". Cleveland, Ohio: cleveland.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
176. West, Shirley (February 3, 2008). "Early spring? Dunkirk Dave says yes!". Evening Observer (Dunkirk, NY).
177. Lytle, Steve (February 2, 2008). "Charlotte's groundhog sees shadow". The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC).
178. "Wisconsin's Jimmy the groundhog predicts an early spring". WBAY-TV. Associated Press. February 3, 2008.
179. "An early spring, says Malverne Mel". Long Island Newsday (Melville, NY). February 2, 2008.
180. Kenneth Hickson (February 3, 2008). "Pierre's forecast: No shadow is seen on Cajun Ground Hog Day". iberianet.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
181. Stradling, Richard. "2008-02-03". The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC). Archived from the original on December 19, 2008.
182. Phillips, David. "Groundhog Day". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation of Canada.
183. "Groundhog Forecasters versus the U.S. Temperature Record". NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
184. One Meat Brawl at the Internet Movie Database
185. Groundhog Day (1993)
186. Heather Green (February 1, 2016). "Groundhog Day Signals The Watch for Mojave Max, Predictor of Spring". clarkcountynv.gov. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
187. Jacki Jing (February 2, 2015). "Forget Phil! T-Boy the Nutria makes his weather prediction". wgno.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
188. Pat Anne (February 2, 2006). "Claude the Cajun Crawfish predicts party weather in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana!". shreveport-bossier.blogspot.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
189. (1) Santos, Fernanda (February 2, 2009). "Reclusive Staten Island Groundhog Bites Mayor". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
     (2) McWeeney, Michael (February 2, 2009). "Mayor Bloomberg bitten by groundhog" (video). Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
     (3) Goldman, Henry (February 2, 2009). "Bloomberg’s Hand Bitten By Staten Island Groundhog". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
190. (1) DeFalco, Beth; Tacopino, Joe (February 2, 2014). "De Blasio drops NYC‘s 'Punxsutawney Phil’". New York Post. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
     (2) Tacopino, Joe; Campanile, Carl; O'Neil, Natalie (September 25, 2014). "Zoo in coverup after groundhog dropped by de Blasio dies". New York Post. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
     (3) Gay, Mara (September 25, 2014). "Staten Island Groundhog Dies Days After Mayor de Blasio Drops It" (video). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
191. Flegenheimer, Matt (February 2, 2015). "New Rule for Mayor de Blasio and Staten Island Chuck: Hands Off On Groundhog Day, a New Script and a Sign of Spring in New York City". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
192. (1) Munos, Carlos (February 4, 2015). "Sun Prairie mayor pardons Jimmy the Groundhog". Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: Fond du Lac Reporter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
     (2) Freund, Jon (February 3, 2015). "Proclamation: City of Sun Prairie". Downtown Sun Prairie BID. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
193. (1) Tan, Avianne (June 9, 2015). "Jimmy the Groundhog Likely Out on Groundhog Day After Biting Wisconsin Mayor's Ear". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
194. Delong, Katie (January 28, 2016). "New plans for Groundhog Day in Sun Prairie this year, after "Jimmy" bit the mayor last year". Fox6Now.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
195. Glaze, Jeff (February 3, 2016). "For some in Sun Prairie, caged Jimmy the Groundhog not the same". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.

References

• Cohen, H.; Coffin, T. P. (1987). The Folklore of American Holidays. Detroit: Gale Research. ISBN 0810321262. OCLC 14718697.
• Yoder, Don (2003). Groundhog Day. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811700291. OCLC 52542605.

Further reading

• Aaron, Michael A., Brewster B. Boyd, Jr., Melanie J. Curtis, Paul M. Sommers (January 2001). "Punxsutawney's Phenomenal Phorecaster". The College Mathematics Journal, 32(1):26–29. doi:10.2307/2687216.
• Old, W. C., and P. Billin-Frye (2004). The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman.
• Pulling, A. F. (2001). Around Punxsutawney. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia.

External links

• Gobblers Knobb Punxsatawney's Mascot
• Groundhog Day – The Official Website of the Punxsatawney Groundhog Club
• Groundhogstuff.com. The Official Punxsutawney Phil Souvenir Shop located in Punxsutawney, PA.
• Short Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Documentary: "A Holiday for Everyone"
• Groundhog Days in Woodstock, IL
• Wiarton Willie Festival – Wiarton, Ontario, Canada