Groundhog predicts six more weeks of winter
There were a few boos at the groundhog’s prediction of six more weeks of winter, but most of the hundreds of revellers instead turned the event into an impromptu rally for football side Pittsburgh Steelers.
The furry forecaster may be popular, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“It’s been really wonderful. This is just a ball. I’m having so much fun,” said Nancy Durr, who came to the small western Pennsylvania town about 65 miles north of Pittsburgh to celebrate her 50th birthday.
She had been outside awaiting Phil’s arrival since about 2.15am, a rub-on Punxsutawney Phil tattoo on each cheek.
Others latched on to the Phil frenzy for a publicity boost - for just about anything, from global warming to the lottery.
The National Environmental Trust said its groundhog-suit-wearing human “will ignore his shadow and instead rely on global warming evidence to forecast an early spring”.
The American Physiological Society offered experts to discuss “What Punxsutawney Phil can teach us about surviving massive blood loss, preventing muscle atrophy, and more.”
None of those things are really what Groundhog Day is about, said Mike Johnston, a member of the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle. Punxsutawney Phil is non-political and can’t speak anyway, he said.
Each February 2, thousands descend on Punxsutawney for a little midwinter revelry, celebrating what had essentially been a German superstition.
The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow February 2 - the Christian holiday of Candlemas - winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was 1999.
