Groundhog day, February 2, 2023
When I was 3-years-old I lived in Punxsutawney for a short time with my parents and younger brother. I’ve been back to the weather capital of the world numerous times for orthodontic work, but never for what it’s best known for. Although I will say my orthodontist is outstanding: Dr. Vancheri, DMD for anyone who needs recommendations.
On this expedition I had an outstanding time photographing this one-of-a-kind event along with being in a familiar place that owns snapshots of my early memories.
The drive from Clarion to Punxsutawney is 37 miles. Departure from Clarion occurred around 2:00 a.m. in order to catch a 3:30 a.m. shuttle to Gobbler’s Knob. This allowed enough time to park, layer up, and prep camera equipment. This load-out included both film and digital cameras. It was maybe 10 degrees, so layering and multiple cameras were necessary.
Items: Leica R4 with flash attachment, Fuji X100v, Tmax P3200, hat, 2 ski mask (a thin polyester and a thick cotton), several shirts (thermals and turtlenecks), ski jacket, snow pants, boots, foot and hand warmers.
Donuts for sale outside of the Punxsutawney Walmart, awaiting shuttle.
Our bus driver. A once “Little Ms. Groundhog” winner.
Even though it was 4 a.m. with single digit feeling temperatures, people were carrying on dancing and chanting for Phil while an emcee, who in another life would lead a traveling circus, conducted the crowd in dance and chants. Gobbler’s Knob has a surrealist aspect to it. An episode of Atlanta would make sense here.
The crowd was spirited and jovial.
Members of the “Inner Circle” are interviewed by The Weather Channel.
Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, greets the crowd down the aisle before the main event.
The crowd before fireworks started going off.
Goes as hard as the 4th.
After the firework show, which was more grand than I expected, the crowd started chanting once again as the event organizers prepared the stage for Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members and The Seer of Seers.
Inner Circle members make their way to the stage.
Note: avoid this by getting to the front earlier.
More winter.
Prognosticator of Prognosticators.
After the festivities, everyone swarmed to the shuttles which formed a 45 minute boarding line.
Instead of going back to the Punxsutawney Walmart parking lot, the shuttle took us to the park downtown. Coincidentally, that park is the front yard of where I lived as a young boy.
I lived on the top floor of this apartment when I was three years old with my one year old brother and my mother and father. The park was encircled with vendors such as Samuel Adams beer, which was the primary eye sore of marketing for the day, although a great holiday to sponsor if you’re a beer company in my opinion.
Breakfast: Some of my earliest memories involve breakfast at Punxsy Phils.
40 minute wait.
Little Phil trinkets for sale downtown Punxsutawney.
After getting back to the park, the shuttle took us back to the parking lot around 10 a.m., where we started the short trek back home.
Go to Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day. It’s one of the most unique holidays we have, and if you are close, take advantage and sacrifice the night’s sleep. Phil is worth it.