Groundhog
Day
February
2nd
Tradition
Would you
believe the tradition of Groundhog Day comes from Europe?
The idea originates from Christianity or rather, Candlemas Day.
On this day, the clergy were to bless and distribute candles
that were necessary for survival during a long, cold winter.
These candles were also symbolic for the length and weather
conditions of winter. Germans added to this idea by designating
an animal as the official means by which the weather was predicted.
They had a hedgehog come out and if it saw it’s shadow, then
you could expect 6 more weeks of winter. If it didn’t,
then you could expect an early spring. When the Germans
came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, they brought this
tradition with them. There were, however, no hedgehogs
in Pennsylvania but many, many groundhogs. The groundhog
then became the official prognosticator of the winter season.
Present
Day
In 1887,
a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
named themselves, “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club”. One
particular member of the group, being an editor for a newspaper,
decided to announce that “Phil”, the Punxsutawney Groundhog
was the one and only official weather prognosticating groundhog.
Now, every year on the 2nd day of February, the world
awaits his prediction. Tens of thousands of people make
the half-mile walk from the festivities to Gobbler’s Knob.
This is a small hill outside of Punxsutawney where the prediction
is made. The results are entered into the Congressional
Record. Music, dancing and numerous activities begin at
midnight and extend until morning when the prediction is made
before a huge crowd of devoted fans and the media.
Source:
Groundhog.org & Pagroundhog.com
Groundhog
Day Worksheets
Groundhog
Day
Find
these words related to Punxsutawney Phil
|
Groundhog
Day
Can
you figure out which words are hiding here?
|
*Worksheets require Adobe
Acrobat
There are
numerous sites devoted to this interesting holiday and we’ve
listed some below.
Beginning
with the 2002 Groundhog Event Schedule, this site has many great
ideas on how to celebrate this unique holiday. In Pennsylvania
they have dances, wedding ceremonies, ice carving contests,
sleigh rides, art shows, a woodchuck whittle carving show, a
food festival, family fun night, a media mixer, a banquet and
show times for the movie Groundhog Day. Learn the
history of Groundhog Day, start your own club chapter (they
are as far reaching as Silicon Valley, California), read about
Punxsutawney or purchase official souvenirs. There is
a special activities section for kids with pages to printout
and color, puzzles, mazes, word searches, and songs. Parents
and teachers will also find a list of fun games to play to celebrate
the holiday.
Color
Phil the groundhog
Source:
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
This particular
site has special photos from previous celebrations, tips for
visiting, and Phil’s forum where you can post a question.
Learn about the community of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania or visit
the interactive fun zone. This special section devoted
to kids has a link to say hello to Phil and his fans and free
post cards to send to your friends. There is even a Groundhog
Translator where you can take an English phrase and turn it
into the language of groundhogs. ‘Ask the Groundhog’ will
make predictions about your future and be sure to stop by the
page of Groundhog Impostors, where you can learn who is trying
to steal Phil’s fame.
Source:
Alan Freed and the staff
of OnTV, Pittsburgh
Visit this
community web site for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Learn
about what it’s like to live there, places to go when you visit,
businesses in the area and Punxsutawney development (with links
to the Industrial park). View the community calendar of
events or visit the Chamber of Commerce and the Official Groundhog
Club.
Source:
Punxsutawney Area Chamber
of Commerce
Welcome
to Phil’s Digital Den where you can view a photo gallery with
photos of cyber-Phil as he travels through Pennsylvania and
New York to spread the news about the upcoming Groundhog Day.
You can also view the web-cast where Phil made his prediction
of 2/2/2001 amongst revelers. Visit Punxsutawney or learn
the complete history of this holiday.
Source:
Phil’s Digital Den
