A German tradition that if the sun out on Candlemas, the precursor to Groundhog Day, the hedgehog (or badger) its shadow and six more weeks of winter . When German settlers to Pennsylvania they this tradition, using groundhogs instead of hedgehogs to the weather.

Phil's fame and newspapers from around the world his predictions. Growing legions of fans making the trek to Punxsutawney every February 2, and with the release of the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray, the crowds to number in the tens of thousands. Phil's yearly Groundhog Day prediction into the Congressional Record!

Where ?

Punxsutawney by the Delaware Indians in 1723 and its name from the Indian name for the location "ponksad-uteney" which the "town of the sandflies." The name woodchuck also Indian origins, coming from the legend of "Wojak, the groundhog."

Where exactly is Punxsutawney?

Punxsutawney is in Western Pennsylvania, about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

How his name?

The groundhog's full name is actually "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary." It by the "Punxsutawney Groundhog Club" in 1887, the same year they Punxsutawney to be the weather capital of the world.

How it is really Phil at Gobbler's Knob?

For most of the year, Phil in a climate-controlled home at the Punxsutawney Library. He to Gobbler's Knob and in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on stage before at 7:25 am on Groundhog Day, February 2, his prediction.

How old is Phil anyway?

Phil by townspeople to be more than 100 years old, surviving beyond a marmot's normal life span thanks to the strong constitution of his wife, Phyllis, and a steady diet of Groundhog Punch.

in Punxsutawney?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Columbia Pictures the movie in a location more accessible to a major metropolitan center. Punxsutawney in a very rural area with few highways, so Woodstock, Illinois as the site for the movie. As a result adjustments had for the production. The actual Gobbler's Knob is a wooded hill with a beautiful view. The Gobbler's Knob in the movie to the town square, though it to scale based on detailed notes and videos the crew on its visit to Punxsutawney.

wrong with the Groundhog Day festivities?

Alan Freed, a Punxsutawney native now living in Pittsburgh , "Well, one year (1996, I ) Phil deep into his hole, and he wasn't even visible when his handlers the door him for his forecast. This particular year saw a record crowd of 30,000+ at Gobbler's Knob, and they Phil! After a couple tense moments, his handlers were able him from his burrow."

I can't make it to Gobbler's Knob this year. Is the ceremony going to be on TV?

You are in luck! Phil his second appearance on the big screen in Times Square this February 2nd about 7 am. And if you can't make it to Times Square then you the live webcast right here! Most major television stations across the country also the official ceremony.

Is there anything new planned for this year's celebration?

Since Groundhog Day on a Sunday in 2003, there is a whole weekend of fun planned in Punxsutawney. the crowd at Gobbler's Knob and three action-packed days of events including a chili cook-off, ice carving exhibitions, trivia contests, a Prognosticators Ball, groundhog day weddings, sleigh rides, woodchuck whittling, the Phil Phind Scavenger Hunt, music, food, fun and games. If you a birthday on February 2nd, then you others who the special day for Phil's Birthday Celebration and a free souvenir.

What about all of those other weather-predicting groundhogs out there?

Alan Freed, Webmaster for www.punxsutawneyphil.com and www.groundhog.org, "We them seriously just as soon as a major motion picture in their honor!"

Ann Salzmann
Intensive English Institute
University of Illinois