Groundhog Day is a popular tradition celebrated in Canada and the United States on 2 February. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early. While the tradition remains popular in modern times, studies have found no consistent correlation between a groundhog seeing its shadow or not and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.
The first reported news of a Groundhog Day observance was arguably made by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1886: "up to the time of going to press, the beast has not seen its shadow". However, it was not until the following year in 1887 that the first Groundhog Day considered "official" was commemorated there, with a group making a trip to the Gobbler's Knob part of town to consult the groundhog. People have gathered annually at the spot for the event ever since.
The celebration held in Punxsutawney is the biggest in the world, where crowds as large as 40,000 now gather each year. The average draw had been about 2,000 until the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, which is set at the festivities in Punxsutawney, after which attendance rose to about 10,000. The official Phil is pretended to be a supercentenarian, having been the same forecasting beast since 1887.
Fans of Punxsutawney Phil can watch a live stream starting at 6:00am on February 2 (10:00pm Melbourne time) provided by Visit Pennsylvania.
https://www.groundhog.org/
In 2019, the 133rd year of the tradition, the groundhog was summoned to come out at 7:25 am on February 2, but did not see its shadow.
In 2020 a member of Phil's Inner Circle read from the groundhog's prediction scroll to the cheers and applause from the crowd.
"Now my forecast on a day that's a palindrome will cause some to cheer and some to moan. So do I hope you think it's neighborly, for there is no shadow of me, spring it'll be early, it's a certainty,"
In 2021 Members of Punxsutawney Phil's "Inner Circle" woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. to see whether he would see his shadow or not. The nation’s foremost marmot weather expert emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, declaring there would be six more weeks of winter. The spectacle that is Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob went on but this year, it was all virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Feb. 2, 2022, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his tree stump with the help of his "inner circle" and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
February 2, 2023: Early this morning Punxsutawney Phil, that Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Weather Prognosticator Extraordinary, emerged from his burrow (with a little help from his handlers) to make his much-anticipated forecast. As we all waited on bated breath, Phil took a look around and spotted his Shadow!
2024
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Now on this February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil, the seer of seers, the prognosticator of all prognosticators, was awakened from his wintry nap at dawn on Gobbler’s Knob. Phil looked to the skies and then, speaking in Groundhogese, directed the President to the proper scroll, which reads in verse…
One thing the weather did NOT provide – is a SHADOW and a reason to hide.
Glad tidings on this Groundhog Day! An early Spring is on the way!
2025:
After knocking on Phil's burrow three times, the Inner Circle pulled Phil out of his stump. The Inner Circle's president used his cane to speak "Groundhogese" with Phil, who chose the scroll containing his prediction. With a flourish, the scroll was unrolled and read.
"It's Groundhog Day and maybe life is on a loop, but I miss my burrow, I miss my coop. So I'm heading back down, there's a shadow up here. Get ready for six more weeks of winter this year,"
2026:
Punxsutawney Phil saw His shadow at 7:25 AM in -3º temperature under a crisp and clear sky. Many faithful followers were present and braved the cold. Six more weeks of winter.
The trail down the hill from the parking coordintes has been blocked off. Head west and down the hill at the clearing to the Koonung Creek Trail. Enter the bush at the trailhead waypoint.
The cache shouldn't be hard to find and There's plenty of room for swaps.
I've never seen snakes down here but it's that kind of area so it pays to be careful.
There's a small prize under the lid for FTF. Congratulations go to Splad_