A Groundhog Day Adventure!

I was a ripe 10 years of age when the 1993 Bill Murray flick Groundhog Day was released. Spending February 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania immediately became a bucket list item. Fast forward 29 years and this 39-year-old journalist had his childhood dream come to fruition.

But…it almost didn’t happen, thanks to the folks at the United States Postal Service. Upon last-minute approval for media credentials to cover the annual event in all of its glory, I forwarded an overnight shipping label to the visitor’s center. Three days went by. No credential. No parking pass. Fully prepared to make the drive to Punxsutawney and take a shuttle bus to Gobbler’s Knob with fellow Groundhog Day enthusiasts, a few clutch phone calls to local post office employees sparked a Groundhog Day miracle! Come late in the afternoon on February 1, I had my passes in hand and was ready to embark on my journey.

The clock struck midnight on February 2 as I kissed my wife goodbye and hopped in the car to make the 3-hour drive to the quaint town that rests 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The winding backroads after exiting the freeway had me question (several times) if I had punched the correct coordinates into my GPS. Alas, I had! Signs welcoming me to Punxsutawney had me as giddy as a kid on Christmas Morning.

On my way up to Gobbler’s Knob, I was amazed at how many folks (3:00 AM be darned) were making the nearly two-mile hike (UPHILL!) to join in the fun, while even more packed into school buses to be amongst the first to the party. Once parked in my coveted onsite space, I exited my vehicle to the sound of saxophones and drums & the sight of a growing crowd. I walked with an extra pep in my step and kicked it into high gear so as to miss a moment of the fun.

The freezing temperatures would not deter me (or anybody else) from kicking off more than four hours of walking and standing on the rugged terrain of Gobbler’s Knob. The eye-catching firepit, early entertainment on the stage, souvenir-filled gift shop, several cool photo opportunities, and making new friends were all early highlights.

My journalist brethren who work in the weather forecasting broadcasts already had their trucks set up to broadcast live from the festivities. (Heck, Phil can’t be any LESS accurate than the bozos predicting the weather on the airwaves!) This adds to the notion that Groundhog Day is simultaneously serious and fun.

The great spirit of America from yesteryear is alive and well in the great city of Punxsutawney! Everyone was friendly to one another. Smiles were contagious. Civility was practiced by all. Folks helped one another take group photos and exchanged stories of how far they traveled to be here. Comradery was formed. New friendships were born. I wish I could channel this silly energy into a bottle!

I bought what is now the coolest hat I own in the visitor’s center gift shop, grabbed some 4:00 AM bacon macaroni and cheese from a food truck, and briefly returned to my car for some quick ZZZzzz’s to recharge for the final leg of the fun. I wasn’t in my car long because I couldn’t sit still amongst my irrational excitement. I quickly returned to the party after grabbing MAYBE 20 minutes of sleep.

In that short span, the crowd grew exponentially in size. My poor journalism practice results in my negligence in tracking down the morning’s attendance numbers. (SORRY!)

While watching the onstage entertainment, a long parade of law enforcement officers came charging past me. My initial conclusion is that Phil’s handlers were sneaking him into the stump on the stage. (A celebrity like him needs all the security he can get!) My initial theory vaporized when shortly after the spectacle, Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro gave a speech welcoming the festival revelers.

I know nothing about who Shapiro is as a person and even less about his politics, but I will say that a governor who braves frigid temperatures to join in the official Groundhog Day celebration is precisely one of the most important qualities that I look for in a politician.

How amazing is Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania?
Phil may be the draw, but you’re the reason I’m here.
You’re the best of Pennsylvania.
You’re tough. You’re resilient. And, you know how to have a good time.
….
For everybody watching at home, I have a simple question for all of you:
‘What the hell are you waiting for? Come to Punxsutawney!’

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

[videopress 7cnTibII w=800]

It’s impossible to know how many original songs + parody tunes about a groundhog from Pennsylvania named Phil have been written without spending 2/2 in Punxsutawney. The talented musicians played every single one of them starting at the moment folks started to arrive until prognostication.

Some newborn classics include “WAKE UP, PHIL” and my personal favorite, “LIFE IS SHORT. PRAISE A GROUNDHOG”

Let’s give a cheer
It’s once a year
Groundhog Day is finally here.
…
There’s a lot of serious things in this life but Groundhog Day ain’t one

“LIFE IS SHORT. PRAISE A GROUNDHOG” (BIG & RICH’S “SAVE A HORSE. RIDE A COWBOY” PARODY)

[videopress SGgMgb9R w=800]

Shortly before sunrise, a beautiful fireworks display illuminated the Punxsutawney sky. Set to music that included tunes from the Star Wars soundtrack (because why the heck not?), the pop of the fireworks rejuvenated the tired folks in the crowd. Being the owner of three yippy dogs who hate the bangs and booms of fireworks more than anything on this earth, I couldn’t help but be a tad concerned for poor Phil.

Then, it was time! The members of the Inner Circle surrounded the stump and discussed the traditions of this crazy holiday. The ground chanted, “PHIL! PHIL! PHIL!” as the groundhog was awakened from his stump slumbers. The verdict, Phil?

I see the morning has brought the finest people, I see their bravery and spirit.
The time has come, I can feel it. The excitement, I can hear it.
I see the folks with gray in their hair, and I see the kids all young and scrawny.
Their eyes and cheeks a glow from the cold clean air of sweet Punxsutawney.
I see that everyone knows their part, and I am merely the sage, but above all else I see a shadow on my stage.
So, no matter how you measure, it’s six more weeks of winter weather

Punxsutawney Phil

While stumbling out of the crowd and back to my car, I almost knocked over Fox & Friends’ weather lady, Janice Dean while she was reporting on live television. (Sorry, Janice!) I have already exceeded my 15 minutes of fame in this lifetime. Still, after reviewing the archived television broadcast, I found that I tacked on a few additional seconds to my total with a brief background appearance.

Making the drive back down Elderberry Hill, I marveled at the many revelers who chose the long, uphill walk to Gobbler’s Knob that morning versus taking the shuttle bus. I passed through downtown on my way back to Route 80 and saw stages, food trucks, and vendors already set up and ready for business for what had all the makings of a killer after-party.

See you next year, Punxsutawney!