Every year on February 2nd, people across the country wait to see one very important thing:

Will the groundhog see his shadow?

Groundhog Day is a fun winter tradition with an interesting history behind it. Here are some fun facts about how Groundhog Day started, and why we still celebrate it today!

Groundhog Day Has Been Around for Over 100 Years

Groundhog Day became popular in the United States in the late 1800s. The first official Groundhog Day celebration was held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1887.

That’s where the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, still makes his prediction every year.

It Comes From an Old European Tradition

Groundhog Day is based on an older holiday called Candlemas, celebrated in parts of Europe.

Long ago, people believed that the weather on February 2nd could help predict how much winter was left. If the day was sunny, they thought winter would last longer.

The Groundhog Replaced Other Animals

In Europe, people watched animals like hedgehogs or badgers to make weather predictions.

When German settlers first came to America, they didn’t see any hedgehogs or badgers, but they did find groundhogs, so the groundhog became the new weather animal!

The Shadow Legend

The tradition goes like this:

If the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.

If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring will come early.

It’s not scientific, but it’s a fun way to brighten up the middle of winter.

Groundhogs Are Cool!

Aside from the celebrity status of Punxsutawney Phil, Groundhogs are fascinating animals in their own right. You may have heard of woodchucks before (how much wood could a woodchuck chuck). Woodchucks and Groundhogs are actually the same exact animal (Scientific name Marmota monax), but both names are used interchangeably. Some refer to them as whistle pigs or land beavers, but those nicknames aren't as common.

Groundhogs live in underground burrows, so they're great at digging. They spend most of the winter hibernating, meaning they sleep for a long time until it warms up again.

Groundhog Day Is a Big Celebration

In Punxsutawney, thousands of people gather each year to watch Phil come out of his burrow. There’s music, cheering, costumes, and lots of winter fun. It’s like a big holiday party for one very famous groundhog!

It’s a Fun Way to Look Forward to Spring

Groundhog Day happens right in the middle of winter, when everyone is starting to miss all that sunshine and warm weather. Even though it’s just for fun, Groundhog Day gives people something to smile about and a reason to look forward to spring.

Keep the Winter Fun Going

Whether the groundhog predicts more winter or an early spring, there’s still plenty of fun to enjoy right now.

At Metropolis Resort, families can splash the day away in Chaos Water Park, play in Action City, and make memories together all season long.

Winter is more fun when you have something to look forward to!