Groundhog Day by State 2024

Groundhog Day is a popular tradition that takes place in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Every year, Groundhog Day is on February 2. Groundhog Day came from the Pennsylvania Dutch. The colonists believed that if a groundhog came out of its burrow and saw its shadow due to clear weather, it would retreat back into its den. Then, winter will go on for another six weeks. If the groundhog comes out of his or her burrow and does not see his shadow on the ground, it means that spring will arrive early. Even though the tradition continues to be celebrated to this day, there are no scientific studies that have found this supposition to be accurate.

Where Is Groundhog Day Officially Held?

Groundhog Day is celebrated all over North America, but the main celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. There is a groundhog in the area named Punxsutawney Phil, and it has become an official ceremony that takes place on February 2. Everyone in the area waits for Punxsutawney Phil to come out of his burrow to see if he will see his shadow or not. Then, the people who hold the festival make a traditional announcement about whether the groundhog has officially seen his shadow. From this information, they then make suppositions about what the weather will hold during the next month and a half.

Are There Other States That Celebrate Groundhog Day?

Even though Punxsutawney Phil is located in Pennsylvania, many states have their own groundhog mascot to predict the weather and celebrate groundhog day as well. For example, New Jersey is home to both Milltown Mel and Essex Ed, which is another Groundhog Day celebration. There is also a Groundhog Day celebration that takes place at Great Neck, Long Island.

The Midwest also has a handful of celebrations that take place in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Woodstock, Illinois. All of these locations have names for their groundhogs as well. There are also celebrations that take place in the South. For example, there is one festival in Raleigh, North Carolina as well as another celebration that takes place at the Birmingham Zoo. Finally, there's also a Potomac Phil in Dupont Circle, located in Washington, D.C.

Only fifteen states—Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming— do not have their own Groundhog Day celebrations.

Are There Any Celebrations Similar To Groundhog Day?

Yes, there are some locations in other countries that have similar festivals. For example, in Croatia and Serbia, there is a celebration that takes place on February 2nd every year. During that time, there is a bear that awakens from his or her winter dormancy. Then, the bear comes out. If the bear sees his shadow, he will go back into his hole for another 40 days, meaning that winter is going to last significantly longer. On the other hand, if the bear does not see his shadow when he comes out, he will stay out of his burrow, meaning that spring is going to arrive early that year. Similar to Groundhog Day, there is no scientific evidence to support that this has anything to do with the actual weather.