It's that time of year again, the moment of truth - Will we have a longer winter, or is spring on its way? We will find out tomorrow as we celebrate Groundhog Day!
According to legend, if Phil emerges from Gobbler's Knob and sees his shadow, apparently we have six more weeks of winter, but if there is no shadow, we get an early spring.
What are the origins of Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is a German tradition. and has been around for quite some time.
The holiday was inspired by Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, also known as the Festival of Lights. Germans would say “If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, winter will have another flight”, meaning that spring wouldn’t come so soon.
When the Germans came to America and settled in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in 1887, they began their version of this holiday.
Originally the tradition started with the hedgehog, but the groundhog gradually became more popular which led to an official celebration dubbing the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil”, which led to a wider attraction to the holiday.
What is your prediction?
Punxsutawney Phil has made a total of 128 predictions since 1887.
Only 20 predictions called for an early spring while 108 predicted a longer winter.
If the groundhog comes out of its hole, sees its shadow, and runs back to its burrow, we’ll have about six more weeks of winter, but if it doesn’t see its shadow, spring is right around the corner. What is your prediction?
Local celebrations:
Starting at 7 am in South Whitehall Township, groundhog Lodge 16 President David Adam is bringing Yotti the Groundhog for his yearly voyage across the Jordan on his raft at Covered Bridge Park.
WATCH the celebration at LIVE starting at 6 am!