Groundhog Day

February 2nd really isn't different from any other cold winter day in Pennsylvania... except for in 1 tiny town that no one can spell: Punxsutawney. (it's even misspelled on the official website) But on this sacred day, the whole world & thousands of college kids turn to our Weather Capital of the World to see what the Prognosticator of Prognosticators (aka Punxy Phil) has to tell us.



The sheer absurdity of this holiday is probably why it's so close to my heart. Let me walk you through a typical Groundhog Day celebration. You start in the middle of the night, say 3am, drive to Punxy & tailgate in the Walmart parking lot. (Classy.) There's no drinking on Gobblers Knob (it's ok giggle... hehe Gobblers Knob) so naturally Walmart is the alternative. When you're ready to head to the Knob, there's a bus that takes you there for $3 or you can walk. On the Knob there's bonfires, music, dancing, & then... FIREWORKS... to the Star Wars soundtrack. That's when you know it's almost dawn. When you hear "The Pennylvania Polka" you know the action's about to start & the crowd goes nuts! The dudes in top hats march down & start the ceremony.

Here's where it starts to become what I would call "weird". Everyone in the Inner Circle (aka top hat dudes) are introduced by their title: storm chaser, cloud maker etc. Now you know who's responsible, they live in PA. When Phil finally comes out of his tree stump the crowd goes wild, cheering & chanting for Phil! (can you feel the anticipation building?) They explain that Phil will now tell the President his prediction... verbally... in Groundhogese, a language that only the Inner Circle President can understand.

The President translates, 6 more weeks of winter, everyone boos & leave.

*akward silence*

Yup, that's it. That's what we waited all night for. Bye.



You can see from my photos, much like the Bill Murry movie, it's the exact same thing over & over again. Every year. Ok there were subtle differences:

• 2004: Our First year


• 2005: Bam Margera & Raab Himself were there


• 2006: I'm not in photos b/c I was busy making out with my friend's brother. hehe Ooops.


• 2007


• 2008: Brandi was home from Jamaica & braved the cold


• 2009: Steelers won the Super Bowl, Phil didn't care. We forgot to take photos.


• 2010: Sorry, Phil, I won't be able to make it.

Till we meet again, Phil... Happy Groundhog Day!