PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (NewsNation Now) — Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor pandemic kept Punxsutawney Phil from emerging from his burrow to forecast whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring.
On Tuesday, the famous rodent emerged at dawn to perform his Groundhog Day duties. He saw his shadow, predicting a longer winter ahead.
Members of Phil’s “inner circle” woke up the furry critter at 7:25 a.m. EST at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not.
Shortly after this year’s prediction was revealed, one of the members of the inner circle shared a message he said Phil had told him earlier in the day: “After winter, you’re looking forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you’ve ever seen.”
Another member of the “inner circle” noted the uniqueness of the past year.
“People have been referencing Groundhog Day. It has felt like at times we’re all living the same day over and over again,” one of the members said. “Groundhog Day also shows us that the monotony ends. The cycle will be broken.”
“Today actually is Groundhog Day, there’s only one,” he added. “There is quite literally a new day coming over the horizon.”
Punxsutawney Phil’s handler A.J. Dereume holds the famous groundhog during a socially distanced and remote event due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the 135th Groundhog Day at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2021. REUTERS/Alan Freed 
Punxsutawney Phil’s handler A.J. Dereume holds the famous groundhog during a socially distanced and remote event due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the 135th Groundhog Day at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2021. REUTERS/Alan Freed 
Groundhog Club members Dave Gigliotti and Dan McGinnis prepare to introduce their Inner Circle during a socially distanced and remote event due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the 135th Groundhog Day at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2021. REUTERS/Alan Freed 
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA – FEBRUARY 01: Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle Members Jason Gursky and official handler, AJ Dereume and Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-predicting groundhog, work a Zoom call with schoolchildren in hundreds of schools throughout the United States on Gobblers Knob on February 1, 2021 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. While last year’s tradition of using the groundhog to determine whether there will be six more weeks of winter brought 44,000 people to the small town of 22,000 in central Pennsylvania, tomorrow’s event will be held virtually, with no visitors permitted. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) 
FILE – In this Feb. 2, 2020, file photo, Groundhog Club co-handler Al Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 134th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Due to safety precautions regarding COVID-19 transmission, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has said there will be no public attendance for the 2021 event. However, the club’s inner circle will make the trek to Gobblers Knob on Tuesday, Feb. 2, for the 135th celebration that will be broadcast via television, internet and live-streamed. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File) 
Cardboard cutouts of groundhog enthusiasts decorate Gobbler’s Knob for the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. This year’s event was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) 
Cardboard cutouts of groundhog enthusiasts decorate Gobbler’s Knob for the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. This year’s event was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID-19 risks. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The spectacle wasn’t canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but revelers were prohibited from attending the event. Instead, it was livestreamed virtually with cardboard cutouts of participants in the crowd.
“This year, Punxsutawney Phil and his Inner Circle are keeping his faithful followers safe by foregoing the in-person celebration at Gobbler’s Knob, but viewers can still virtually attend and celebrate with their own at-home festivities,” said Carrie Lepore, Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary of Marketing, Tourism & Film.
The Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s Holi-stay PA shared a number of different options for viewers to participate in Groundhog Day celebrations. Featured activities included live demonstrations, holiday recipes, themed playlists, and social media giveaways.
The annual event has its origin in a German legend about a furry rodent. Records dating to the late 1800s show Phil has predicted longer winters more than 100 times. The 2020 forecast called for an early spring — however, Phil didn’t say anything about a pandemic.
Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer but he’s certainly not the only one. There are two other high-profile “imposters,” as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club calls them, in the region.
Staten Island Chuck will be asked for his prophesy Tuesday around 8 a.m. at the Staten Island Zoo in New York. That event will be streamed on Facebook since the zoo is closed.
Also without fanfare, Chuckles, Connecticut’s official state groundhog, will make a prediction from home: the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester. That will also be streamed on Facebook. Chuckles X died in September, and it remains to be seen whether an anointed Chuckles XI will emerge Tuesday.
