By Amelia Kibbe
Features Assignment Editor
When will it be spring? With below-zero temperatures becoming the norm these days it seems as if everyone is wondering if the season of melting snow and blooming flowers will ever arrive.
For some weather watchers, the answer is soon to come. This Sunday, Feb. 2, is Groundhog Day – the day when Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous rodent, will predict the coming of spring. If Phil sees his shadow he crawls back into his burrow, for there will be six more weeks of winter. But, like many hope, if Phil does not see his shadow it means spring is right around the corner.
The idea of a groundhog foretelling the weather is an old German tradition. When Germans immigrated to America, some made their homes in Pennsylvania. Today, the world’s largest Groundhog Day celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, resides at a place of honor known as Gobbler’s Knob. Every February 2, about 50,000 tourists travel to the rural Pennsylvania town to catch a glimpse of Phil, hopefully without his shadow.
For most, Groundhog Day is not a huge celebration. The idea is fun and the possible promise of early spring is great, but all in all it’s just another day. Freshman French major Peter Bertoldo agrees he likes Groundhog Day but says it is not a big celebration in his area.
“I am from New York State, so Groundhog Day isn’t really a big thing where I live,” Bertoldo said. “I always wanted to know Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions, but I usually waited until I got to school and asked someone. I never woke up early to watch it live on TV, although some of my friends did.”
Bertoldo said he is still anxious to hear this year’s results because he hopes for a certain outcome.
“I think I pretty much speak for everyone when I say I am hoping for no shadow,” Bertoldo said. “I am sick and tired of this winter. Spring cannot get here soon enough.”
Groundhog Day is not a big celebration for some, but for freshman biology major Alexis Young the day is a big event. Young is from Punxsutawney. Groundhog Day is the biggest day in her hometown – so big that school gets cancelled for the day.
“Our town really becomes alive around Groundhog Day,” Young said. “We don’t have school because the town uses the buses to transport the tourists. Many of the students from the high school help with the ‘inner circle’ of officials in getting the groundhog around.”
Young explained the celebration is more than just viewing Phil with or without his shadow.
“There are so many things the town does on Groundhog Day,” she said. “We have festivals and everyone sells their little trinkets as well as groundhog cookies. After Phil’s prediction, the firemen set off fireworks to celebrate. For us, Groundhog Day is more than just one day.”
She echoed Bertoldo’s thoughts when it comes to what she hoped Phil’s prognosis will be this year.
“Of course I am hoping for an early spring,” Young said. “With the way the weather has been recently, who wouldn’t?”
