Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney

PUNXSUTAWNEY---Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter, but anyone at Gobbler’s Knob this morning knew that spring was nowhere in sight. Forty thousand people flooded the small borough of Punxsutawney, despite bitterly cold temperatures, to find out when we can ditch those winter coats, but Inner Circle member Dave Gigliotti said the magic doesn’t leave town when the crowds do. “If you’re going to come to Punxsutawney, either Groundhog Day or any other day of the year, it’s always a fun time here,” he said. The crowd kept warm by dancing to music starting at 3 a.m. They were also entertained by one of the co-stars of the movie “Groundhog Day,” Stephen Tobolowsky. Tobolowsky shared stories about shooting the movie and admitted that this was his first trip to Punxsutawney. He also said that people all over the world still recognize him as “Ned” wherever he goes. When it was Phil’s turn to take the stage, the crowd chanted his name, and even cheered when they got the report that spring won’t be arriving for awhile. The festivities continued all day in downtown Punxsutawney, where Phil fans could participate in events like the Oreo stacking contest, the Phil look-alike contest, and the Little Mr. and Miss Groundhog crowning. Couples could even be married by the Punxsutawney mayor at a special chapel set-up especially for Groundhog Day.