It’s Groundhog Day and people are waiting to learn whether Punxsutawney Phil will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter.People will gather Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summon him from his tree stump to learn if he has seen his shadow. According to folklore, there will be six more weeks of winter if he sees his shadow. If he doesn’t, spring will come early.The “inner circle” is a group of local dignitaries who are responsible for planning the events, as well as feeding and caring for Phil himself. The annual event in Punxsutawney originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. According to records dating back to 1887, Phil has predicted winter more than 100 times. Ten years were lost because no records were kept, organizers said. Thousands traveled to the Pennsylvania town — which is about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh — to see Phil make his weather prediction. “We have 6,000 people that live here and it swells to 20 or 30,000,” said Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce President Katie Laska. “You can just imagine the impact that it has on our economy here.”While Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer, he’s certainly not the only one. New York City’s Staten Island Chuck will also make his prediction Thursday during an event at the Staten Island Zoo.The Associated Press contributed to this report
It’s Groundhog Day and people are waiting to learn whether Punxsutawney Phil will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter.
People will gather Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summon him from his tree stump to learn if he has seen his shadow. According to folklore, there will be six more weeks of winter if he sees his shadow. If he doesn’t, spring will come early.
The “inner circle” is a group of local dignitaries who are responsible for planning the events, as well as feeding and caring for Phil himself.
The annual event in Punxsutawney originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. According to records dating back to 1887, Phil has predicted winter more than 100 times. Ten years were lost because no records were kept, organizers said.
Thousands traveled to the Pennsylvania town — which is about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh — to see Phil make his weather prediction.
“We have 6,000 people that live here and it swells to 20 or 30,000,” said Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce President Katie Laska. “You can just imagine the impact that it has on our economy here.”
While Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer, he’s certainly not the only one. New York City’s Staten Island Chuck will also make his prediction Thursday during an event at the Staten Island Zoo.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
