Find out on February 2 in Woodstock, Illinois

By Maureen Callahan| Photos courtesy of Woodstock Willie Days Committee

By February, most of us have winter blues. That is, unless you live in northwest suburban Woodstock, the town that doubled for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in Harold Ramis’ 1993 cult classic, Groundhog Day. February 2 marks the day Americans heed the prognostication (weather prophecy) of Punxsutawney Phil, America’s most celebrated groundhog. If he sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is surely on the way.

Here in Woodstock, it’s the best day of the year! Bring it on!

Filming Groundhog Day scenes are Bill Murray, Harold Ramis (Director), and Andie MacDowell.

Groundhog Day is the story of Phil Connors (Bill Murray), a cynical weatherman for Pittsburgh TV station WPBH-TV9. Each year on February 2, Connors reluctantly travels to Punxsutawney to cover the annual Groundhog Day Proclamation issued by resident rodent Punxsutawney Phil. The narcissistic meteorologist makes no secret of his disdain for the yearly assignment. Wise guy Larry the cameraman (Chris Elliot) and relentlessly cheerful co-worker Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) – whom Connors secretly admires – accompany him.

But this year, something is different. After the prognostication, the blizzard which Connors has assured his viewers will not strike the area, strikes. The trio is forced to stay the night in Punxsutawney. Connors awakens the next morning at the Cherry Street Inn B&B to Sonny & Cher’s I Got You Babe playing on the radio and proceeds to mysteriously relive Groundhog Day. Déjà vu? For several more days, he relives February 2. Connors thinks he is going crazy.

When the weatherman realizes he is caught in a time loop, he starts to take advantage of knowing what will happen each day to control the outcome. Ultimately, Rita falls for him, and he convinces her to move to Punxsutawney with him.

The movie – a hit – sparked a cult following that put Woodstock on the map. Over time, Groundhog Day festivities have evolved into a celebration that draws scores of fans from far and wide to this quintessential Midwestern small town.

The crowd awaits Prognostication in the early morning hours of February 2.

Prognostication is always held on February 2; however, the three-day Groundhog Days festival happens each year on the weekend before or after February 2, regardless of the weather. Anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 guests come in for the event. “We see a steady crowd all weekend,” said Woodstock City Council member Melissa McMahon. Even the blizzard of 2011 didn’t deter the diehards. “There are photos of people snowshoeing into the square and waiting for the groundhog’s prediction,” she said, as she laughed. “They’re serious.”

“Attendees range from in-town residents to overseas visitors,” said McMahon. “Then we have those who have been to Punxsutawney and assume they are going to walk into what they find here. They always say, ‘they have it all wrong out there!’”

There’s plenty to do at Groundhog Days. There are woodcarving demonstrations and a 5K race. Trivia and bags tournaments. The polka band plays on the square, and there are movie-themed activities. The Woodstock Moose Lodge featured in the film hosts a dinner dance. Shops bring in cute merch.

Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned) is an honorary Woodstockian.

You might even catch some of the movie stars, who often come back. Andie MacDowell (Rita) and Chris Elliott (Larry) have come back. In the years he’s been there, Richard Henzel, who is the voice of Bill Murray’s alarm clock radio every morning, does the broadcast from onstage, and “that’s always a crowd pleaser,” said McMahon. “Our favorite is Stephen Toblowsky (Ned)! He comes back most often, and he’s kind of an honorary citizen around here. Screenplay writer Danny Reuben sometimes shows up and does a Q&A,” McMahon relayed. 

If you go, plan to take a walking tour of the movie locations. Almost every place is open to the public, and there are plaques that explain the sites. Stop in at the Cherry Tree Inn B&B. Owners George and Lori Miracki are waiting to show you around. “The Mirackis have been amazing ambassadors for Woodstock,” said McMahon. 

Most years, Bob Hudgins, Groundhog Day’s location manager, comes back to give tours with lots of funny backstories about the actors and filming. Hudgins is the man behind the magic, as it was he who convinced Ramis to feature Woodstock as Punxsutawney’s muse. “I had worked with Ramis on Planes, Trains & Automobiles a couple of years before, and a few of those scenes were shot in Woodstock,” Hudgins relayed. “Ramis and Murray were Chicago guys, so they wanted to film close to home.”

Woodstock became a sort of character in its own right and has never shirked from its adopted identity. “Woodstock’s groundhog is known as Woodstock Willie, since Punxsutawney has their own groundhog – that’s Phil,” McMahon explained. The original groundhog from the movie has passed, but his grandchildren are still around. “For a while, it was actually a female named Wendy,” McMahon explained, “but to the outside world, they’re all Woodstock Willie anyway.”

There is also a 5’7 Woodstock Willie mascot who is available all year for ribbon cuttings, Halloween trick-or-treats and other events around town. “The human Woodstock Willie has his own website and is kind of like royalty around here,” McMahon said as she laughed. 

We make fun of our cold and seemingly eternal winters. Hopefully, Woodstock Willie will deliver for us this year. Come see for yourself this January 30 to February 2. “Groundhog Day is a movie that means something different to each person,” said McMahon. “It’s a privilege for us to keep bringing it to life each year.”

Just remember your hat and mittens!

For more information on the Groundhog Days Festival, visit woodstockgroundhog.org. Or spy on Woodstock Willie on Facebook at @woodstockwillieofficial. ν