Mix one part whimsical Americana, add a dash of tradition, and you’ll get the one, the only, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
You might know Punxsutawney Phil, the prophet groundhog who predicts how long winter will last every February 2nd. But did you know he’s named after a town?
Every year, tens of thousands of people from around the world convene in Gobbler’s Knob, a hill in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to witness Phil’s prediction. While the TV screens show maybe 20 seconds, visitors are immersed in a town that has worshiped a rodent for basically the last 140 years, cementing the event as one of the last great American traditions.
This year, Punxsutawney was in the negatives of Fahrenheit, but people still walked miles for the proclamation, waiting in subzero temperatures from 3 a.m. to nearly 8 a.m. just for a glimpse of Phil. As you can imagine, it’s all quite silly. Which somehow makes it all the more meaningful.
According to Tom Dunkel, president of the Inner Circle (essentially Phil’s handlers and entourage), the tradition fosters a unique sense of kindness and connection among visitors. There’s an inherent connection. Many people have wanted to visit Punxsutawney their entire lives. And when they come, they visit again and again and again, all to bear witness.
Small-town vibes meet a local large-squirrel celebrity with a cult following, who knew Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, was the place to be? And a movie starring Bill Murray that challenges people to become their best selves certainly doesn’t hurt.
The day before the ceremony, the town square puts on a farmer’s market with live music and vendors. Over 40 five-foot-tall fiberglass groundhog statues are scattered across the small town, welcoming visitors in front of the local Wendy’s and post office. Since it’s the weather capital of the world, you can learn the town’s history at the Weather Discovery Center or the local library. Try an omelet at Gimmicks and scroll the entire town’s high school yearbooks dating back dozens of years. Or visit the Gobbler’s Knob Vistor Center and gift shop a day early to walk around the stage and pop your head into the enclosure for Phil’s kids, Sunny and Shadow.
