|
 Legend
says that if a ground hog (also known as the
woodchuck) spots his shadow on February 2 (Ground
Hog Day), he will be so startled he will go back to
sleep and hibernate for another 6 weeks to wait for
better weather. If he stays awake, we should expect
an early spring. Farmers Almanac also predicts the first
date for spring planting time using similar, non-scientific
methods.
The
hilarious Bill Murray film Groundhog Day certainly
helped make the toothy Pennsylvania rodent named Punxatawney
Phil and his hometown famous. The film didn't inspire
the celebration of Ground Hog Day - a February
holiday that brings thousands of visitors to Western
Pennsylvania every year in late January.
The origin of the holiday is actually
Pagan; February 2 marks the midpoint between the winter
solstice and spring equinox. As
Christianity spread through Europe, the holiday became
known as Candlemas.
Every winter, folks from all over the
world visit Pennsylvania's small community of Punxatawney
to make a pre-dawn visit to Gobbler's Knob on February
2. Tourists flock to this tiny western Pennslvania township
to watch Phil the groundhog as he wakens from hibernation
to check for spring's arrival and to party for several
days in celebration of the coming spring.
In Canada, Ground Hog day watchers celebrate
the Wiarton
Willie Festival.
Whether you think Phil's or Willie's meterology
methods are correct or not, you might enjoy a late winter
vacation in Pennsylvania to take part in the week-long
Ground Hog Day festivities. Visit Pennsylvania for a
mid-winter family vacation and experience Ground
Hog Day and Punxatawney Phil's home ground first
hand! The folks in Phil's hometown region welcome tourists
with open arms, and they plan lots of events around
the weeks leading up to Ground Hog Day each and every
year.
If you can't visit Gobbler's Knob, you
can still have a Ground Hog Day celebration with your
family. Or, try these ideas and links for suggestions
on a family vacation trip at any time to Pennsylvania
- the state of Independence.
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