Difference between revisions of "Celebrate Groundhog Day"
m (importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "== Video ==" to "") |
||
| (6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | Groundhog Day is celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2nd. Based on trying to guess when winter is going to end, the tradition holds that if the groundhog (''Marmota monax'') pops his head out but sees a shadow when emerging from its burrow, and pops back down, winter will go on for another six weeks. But, if it doesn't see its shadow, and the groundhog comes out of its burrow, then it's thought that winter will be over soon.<ref name="rf1">Wisegeek, What is Groundhog Day?, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-groundhog-day.htm</ref> | |
| − | [[Category:Holidays and Traditions]] | + | [[Category: Holidays and Traditions]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| − | # Study the origins of Groundhog Day. This is especially fun if done as a family, where you can sit down with the kids and do some research into the origins of the event. Can you find any particularly interesting or quirky Groundhog Days in the past? This Candlemas Day event has similarities to rituals performed a long time ago by the [[Draw a Celtic Knot|Celts]] (a festival called "Imbolc"), which later transformed in part to the [[Learn German|German]] tradition of Candlemas. It is also said that the [[Cook Like a Roman|Romans]] celebrated a similar event which also held that if a [[Buy a Hedgehog|hedgehog]] emerging from its hibernation in the moonlight could see its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter.<ref>Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, "Hedgehog Day" entry, p. 113, (2011), ISBN 978-0-07-174026-5</ref> | + | # Study the origins of Groundhog Day. This is especially fun if done as a family, where you can sit down with the kids and do some research into the origins of the event. Can you find any particularly interesting or quirky Groundhog Days in the past? This Candlemas Day event has similarities to rituals performed a long time ago by the [[Draw a Celtic Knot|Celts]] (a festival called "Imbolc"), which later transformed in part to the [[Learn German|German]] tradition of Candlemas. It is also said that the [[Cook Like a Roman|Romans]] celebrated a similar event which also held that if a [[Buy a Hedgehog|hedgehog]] emerging from its hibernation in the moonlight could see its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter.<ref name="rf2">Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, "Hedgehog Day" entry, p. 113, (2011), ISBN 978-0-07-174026-5</ref> |
| − | # Visit a town where Groundhog Day is celebrated, if you get the chance. Groundhog Day is a big deal in some towns, especially in the town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania, where groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is ritually taken up to Gobbler's Knob each year and is placed into an artificial [[Care for Emperor Scorpions|burrow]] on a false tree stump.<ref | + | # Visit a town where Groundhog Day is celebrated, if you get the chance. Groundhog Day is a big deal in some towns, especially in the town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania, where groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is ritually taken up to Gobbler's Knob each year and is placed into an artificial [[Care for Emperor Scorpions|burrow]] on a false tree stump.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Punxsutawney makes it a weekend celebration, so if you have the time, go up a few days beforehand and join in the festivities. Visit the official Groundhog Day website for more information on the ongoing events.<ref>Groundhog Day: The official website of the Punxsutawney groundhog club", http://www.groundhog.org/</ref> | + | #*Punxsutawney makes it a weekend celebration, so if you have the time, go up a few days beforehand and join in the festivities. Visit the official Groundhog Day website for more information on the ongoing events.<ref name="rf3">Groundhog Day: The official website of the Punxsutawney groundhog club", http://www.groundhog.org/</ref> |
#*In Pennsylvania, Groundhog lodges hold early morning celebrations that involve food, games, [[Prepare a Speech|speeches]], and songs in the Pennsylvanian German dialect. | #*In Pennsylvania, Groundhog lodges hold early morning celebrations that involve food, games, [[Prepare a Speech|speeches]], and songs in the Pennsylvanian German dialect. | ||
| − | # Watch Punxsutawney Phil emerge from the burrow. This happens at daybreak, around 7:25AM,<ref>Aubrey Vaughan, Celebrate Groundhog Day!, http://www.motherearthnews.com/Healthy-People-Healthy-Planet/Groundhog-Day-Punxsutawney-Phil.aspx</ref> so you'll need to be located in a good spot if you're in Punxsutawney, or up ready to watch it on [[:Category:TV Viewing and Shows|TV]]. Many news stations will carry the event live on morning shows; if you're not sure, call or email your local station for information. | + | # Watch Punxsutawney Phil emerge from the burrow. This happens at daybreak, around 7:25AM,<ref name="rf4">Aubrey Vaughan, Celebrate Groundhog Day!, http://www.motherearthnews.com/Healthy-People-Healthy-Planet/Groundhog-Day-Punxsutawney-Phil.aspx</ref> so you'll need to be located in a good spot if you're in Punxsutawney, or up ready to watch it on [[:Category:TV Viewing and Shows|TV]]. Many news stations will carry the event live on morning shows; if you're not sure, call or email your local station for information. |
#*Watch to see whether or not he emerges from his burrow. Be prepared for a longer [[Keep Dogs Warm in the Winter|winter]] if he sees a shadow! | #*Watch to see whether or not he emerges from his burrow. Be prepared for a longer [[Keep Dogs Warm in the Winter|winter]] if he sees a shadow! | ||
# Watch Bill Murray's 1993 [[:Category:Movies|movie]] ''Groundhog Day''. This movie is a beloved classic that features Bill Murray stuck in time again and again and again until he finally sorts out his life and gets things right with the people around him. It's fun and a great excuse to snuggle up with [[Make Popcorn|popcorn]], family, and friends and have a good laugh together. | # Watch Bill Murray's 1993 [[:Category:Movies|movie]] ''Groundhog Day''. This movie is a beloved classic that features Bill Murray stuck in time again and again and again until he finally sorts out his life and gets things right with the people around him. It's fun and a great excuse to snuggle up with [[Make Popcorn|popcorn]], family, and friends and have a good laugh together. | ||
| − | #*You could watch other relevant things too. For example, some shows have given homage to, the ''Groundhog Day'' movie experience, such as the third season conclusion to ''Cougar Town''.<ref>http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/29/cougar-town-season-3-finale-walk-up/</ref> Or find a documentary on groundhogs! | + | #*You could watch other relevant things too. For example, some shows have given homage to, the ''Groundhog Day'' movie experience, such as the third season conclusion to ''Cougar Town''.<ref name="rf5">http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/29/cougar-town-season-3-finale-walk-up/</ref> Or find a documentary on groundhogs! |
# Consider holding a Groundhog Day [[:Category:Parties|party]]. It's always good to have an excuse to have a party, and this is a fun one. Since an early morning party is probably not much fun, consider taping Punxsutawney Phil's emergence for the party so that you can play it back for everyone. Prior to the party day, have everyone make small wagers on whether or not he'll see his shadow. Show the film and award those who [[Guess and Check|guessed]] correctly a small prize, such as a chocolate groundhog. | # Consider holding a Groundhog Day [[:Category:Parties|party]]. It's always good to have an excuse to have a party, and this is a fun one. Since an early morning party is probably not much fun, consider taping Punxsutawney Phil's emergence for the party so that you can play it back for everyone. Prior to the party day, have everyone make small wagers on whether or not he'll see his shadow. Show the film and award those who [[Guess and Check|guessed]] correctly a small prize, such as a chocolate groundhog. | ||
#*[[Draw|Draw]] or print groundhog pictures. Use them to decorate the party room. Make decorative groundhogs for labeling food on the table, and try to make a groundhog centerpiece. | #*[[Draw|Draw]] or print groundhog pictures. Use them to decorate the party room. Make decorative groundhogs for labeling food on the table, and try to make a groundhog centerpiece. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
# Make a chart to see what really happens to the weather from this day until you feel like it's really spring. Did the groundhog get it right? | # Make a chart to see what really happens to the weather from this day until you feel like it's really spring. Did the groundhog get it right? | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
