Groundhog Day: Look out for Phil

If you head to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, Groundhog Day, you’ll find a town that knows how to throw itself a good time in the middle of winter. This is where the groundhog is looked to with humorous reverence just in case he might herald in an early spring if the 2nd is cloudy. Regardless of what the groundhog does, there are activities all day long–a few that stand out as purely Punxsutawney. It’s not called “home of the groundhog” for any old reason.

Sensibly, the Groundhog Jog is at 2:00 in the afternoon. Why get up early in the winter to run? It’s cold in Punxsutawney this time of year. A person’s joints need some time to warm up.

Phil’s Dream Wedding at 2:30 really intrigues me. Do groundhogs get married? Do people? Another unusual happening is ice fishing on an area lake. If your birthday is the same as Phil’s and you can prove it with an ID card, you can join in Phil’s birthday celebration.

If you ever are in Punxsutawney for Groundhog’s Day or any other time, look for the statues of Phil. These are the type where area artists start out with the same basic template and create their own versions. There are 32 painted fiberglass statues gracing the fronts of the town’s significant buildings and businesses.