(MENAFN- Live Mint) Groundhog Day 2025: Punxsutawney Phil has made his annual weather prediction, forecasting six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow on Sunday at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This iconic tradition, which draws thousands of spectators, saw the famed groundhog pulled from his burrow by his top-hatted handlers, amid cheers from a record-sized crowd.
Believers and skeptics unite at Gobbler's Knob
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's president, Tom Dunkel, reflected on the event's significance, noting that attendees include both believers hoping for confirmation and skeptics looking for proof that Phil's predictions are simply folklore. "Only I know - you can't trust A.I.," read the scroll presented by a member of the club.
Dignitaries join the celebration in Punxsutawney
While Phil's weather forecasting has been a local tradition for over a century, it gained widespread fame after the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which helped transform the event into a cultural phenomenon celebrated with fireworks, confetti, and live music. Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, alongside other dignitaries, attended the festivities, which featured performances from a variety of artists.
Tradition
Groundhog Day is an annual tradition celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. The day centers around a folklore story where a groundhog (often Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania) emerges from its burrow after hibernation to predict the weather for the coming weeks. According to the tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if it doesn't see its shadow, spring will come early.
Culture
Groundhog Day has evolved into a popular cultural event, especially in North America. The tradition is celebrated in many parts but Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is the epicenter of the festivities. The town hosts a large festival, including parades, music, and a ceremony where the groundhog's prediction is announced. Over time, local legends, folklore, and gatherings have contributed to the day's significance, turning it into a fun, lighthearted celebration that marks the impending end of winter.
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