Last month, my family and I participated with thousands of others in a celebration. If you are thinking of the Eagles Super Bowl championship parade, you would be incorrect, although I did attend the parade as well. I am referring to spending five hours driving to Western Pennsylvania, namely Punxsutawney, PA, for Groundhog Day. It is an event that is hard to explain, but you must do it once in your life.
Each year, on February 2nd, one of America’s strangest traditions occurs in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The aptly named Punxsutawney Phil, a weather-predicting groundhog, is pulled out of his temporary burrow at Gobbler’s Knob to get his prediction of the weather for the coming weeks. Thousands brave the cold of an early February morning to catch a glimpse of this rather famous rodent and watch him make his annual weather prediction. Over 40,000 people attended this year, the largest attendance ever, according to officials.
Although I am not exactly sure why, it has been on my family’s bucket list for quite some time. Groundhog Day is held at Gobbler’s Knob, a field a little under two miles outside of downtown Punxsutawney, PA. We arrived via school buses at about 4 AM in 18-degree weather. Since the gates to the grounds open at 3am, thousands of Phil’s fans were already there, waiting in anticipation. While no alcohol is allowed into the event or sold there, the atmosphere is still festive (likely because people need to move and dance to keep from getting too cold or falling asleep).
From 3am until approximately 7:20am, a party happens at Gobbler’s Knob. For four and a half hours, leading to Phil’s prognostication, performers entertain the crowds of people gathering in the field. No tickets are required as Groundhog Day is a free event.
Without a doubt, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney is one of the most fun and unique events that I have ever visited in all my travels. The absolute absurdity of the event’s premise and the atmosphere around the town make for a simply amazing event that certainly won’t disappoint.
The beauty of Groundhog Day is how unimportant the event actually is. There are many things in life that are very important. Groundhog Day is not one of them. However, it brings together people united in the celebration of Phil, which to a certain extent, is a celebration of life. In today’s polarized world, we can use more of Groundhog-like days.
So, whether a visit to Punxsutawney has been on your bucket list for years or you have just started thinking of attending the event, just go and dress warmly.