Groundhog Day Fun Facts

Image via Wikipedia

It’s doubtful whether anyone would have thought, during the first official Groundhog Day in 1886, that over 100 years later people would still be focusing their attention on a little critter on February 2 each year. It is on that date that Punxsutawney Phil tells the nation if there will be six more weeks of winter or not.

Many people don’t realize Groundhog Day has its origin in Germany. Tradition there claims that a badger or hedgehog would predict the coming of spring. If the animal saw its shadow on Candlemas, winter weather would continue. German settlers moved to the United States and continued the tradition. However, since there weren’t hedgehogs or badgers where they lived, they chose the groundhog as the weather prognosticator.

* Phil, the groundhog everyone looks to, has a long name: "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary." This name was given to a groundhog in 1887 by the "Punxsutawney Groundhog Club."

* Phil lives in the Punxsutawney Library for the remainder of the year, but each year as Groundhog Day nears, he’s taken from his home at Gobbler’s Knob.  He is then placed in a heated burrow until he makes his appearance at 7:25 a.m. on Groundhog day each year.

* In 1993 the movie “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray, was released. The movie, filmed in Woodstock, Illinois because Punxsutawney is in a rural area which made it difficult to use for filming.

* For those unable to make the annual trek to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, each year’s ceremony is broadcast on major television stations. It can also be seen on the big screen at Times Square, New York City.

* Groundhogs hibernate each year and generally come out of hibernation between the first and second weeks of February. Experts say the animal comes out of hibernation due to the increased number of daylight hours.

* In the wild, groundhogs live about six to eight years. Phil, however, is said to be given a magical drink every year which enables him to live seven more years. Having said that, members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claim Punxsutawney Phil is over 120 years old.

* Although Punxsutawney Phil is said to be the official Groundhog Day weather predictor, other groundhogs are found around the world. These include General Beauregard Lee, Peewee the Woodchuck, Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam, Stanten Island Chuck, and Dunkirk Dave.

* Each year tens of thousands of people make their way to Punxsutawney to learn first-hand whether winter will continue for six more weeks.

* In over 100 years of predicting the coming of spring, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, seen no shadow 14 times, with 9 years where there was no record.

Is Punxsutawney Phil, or any of the other groundhogs around the world, accurate in predicting the arrival of spring? That’s up for debate. One thing is for sure, however, when it comes to Groundhog Day, these fun facts can make the day more enjoyable for all who celebrate.

Groundhog Day Party Menu Ideas for a Fun Groundhog Day Celebration

Image via WikipediaBy Gail Leino

Will winter last or is spring around the corner? Groundhog day is often a mass media day with everyone waiting to see if the groundhog will see his shadow. If you are looking for a few menu ideas or snacks for your children to celebrate the holiday, you might like to use some of the following ideas:

Groundhogs tend to eat green items such as grass so you could create an all green menu for the day. Green punch (lemonade with green food coloring, green grapes and small pieces of green apple or kiwifruit), baked good with green food coloring and green fruit salad (green grapes, green apple, kiwifruit, honeydew melon and star fruit) all work well.

A great snack for children is creating a salad with a couple of types of lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and gonzo beans. Of course you can choose your child’s favorite vegetables and salad dressing.

Another great snack for you children is Groundhog Day Dirt Pie. All you do is take their favorite pudding or chocolate to represent dirt. Once you have made the pudding you crumble up graham crackers into the dish. To make the dessert complete you can take a Popsicle stick with a picture of a groundhog to make it look like a groundhog on his mound. You may even have children color their own groundhog.

There are many different ideas you can have for Groundhogs Day for a complete menu. If you need to create snacks for school or just to have fun around the house you will want to find different types of menu items like potatoes, vegetables, desserts with the life of the groundhog in mind. Typically groundhogs spend their days on their mounds so even cupcakes with a frosting “groundhog” on top make a fun snack.

They say that simple menus often work the best. This is definitely the case with Groundhog day. You can use these ideas or throw in a few of your own – either way your young guests are likely to be happy.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Groundhog Day party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino http://EzineArticles.com/?Groundhog-Day-Party-Menu-Ideas-for-a-Fun-Groundhog-Day-Celebration&id=685818

Groundhog Day Party Games - Marking the Occasion With a Celebration

By Gail Leino

Groundhog Day is a celebration that is steeped in tradition - is the Ground Hog going to see his shadow? Start the season with games to suit the theme can be really enjoyable, and make for a great party.

“Groundhog Hunt” Groundhog Day Party Game

This is a fun Groundhog Day party game that is best played outside. Prior to the party, cut several copies of the letters from ‘Groundhog’ out of cardboard and hide them around the playing area. Players pair up, and must search for the letters; the first pair to find all the letters from the word ‘Groundhog’ wins a small prize.

“Groundhog Tag” Groundhog Day Party Game

This active Groundhog Day party game is best played in a large, open area with a large group of children. All that’s required for the game is a small stuffed toy to act as the “groundhog”. Players gather together and split into 2 even groups. One group forms a large circle around the other group – joining hands isn’t necessary as the circle needs to be large. The children in the circle receive the “groundhog”, and have throw it and try to hit the children running around inside the circle. As soon as someone on the inside gets hit, they must join the circle and try to tag the other children with the groundhog. When all the children have been tagged, the teams swap places and start over. The last player standing for each team receives a small prize for winning this Groundhog Day party game.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Groundhog Day party supplies and fun free educational party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Shop has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Theme Parties to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino
http://EzineArticles.com/?Groundhog-Day-Party-Games---Marking-the-Occasion-With-a-Celebration&id=546374

Groundhog Day - Will Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?

Groundhog Day or Groundhog's Day is a traditional holiday which is celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2nd of each year, four days before the cross-quarter day between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

History tells us that as far back as the fifth century the European Celts believed that certain animals had super-natural powers on the special day's half-way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. They believed that if bears and groundhogs came out of their winter dens too early that they were frightened by their own shadow and went back into their dens for four to six more weeks of hibernation.

The traditional weather lore says that if a groundhog comes out of his burrow on Groundhog Day and can not see his shadow, because of cloudy weather, then winter will soon end. However, if the groundhog is able to see his shadow, due to clear sunny weather, he will be frightened by the bright light and run back into his den, meaning that winter will continue for six more weeks.

The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day is February 4, 1841 and took place in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. In storekeeper James Morris' diary he wrote; "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

In the United States, the tradition of Groundhog Day comes from a famous Scottish poem:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight
If Candlemas be cloud and snow
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas Day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas Day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop.

The celebration of Groundhog Day began in Pennsylvania and the town of Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. It was begun out of humor and has continued to this day. Every year on February 2nd, their groundhog, known as Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his den and predicts the weather. If Phil can see his shadow then winter will be six weeks longer, however if he is unable to see his shadow then spring will begin.

It is said that the weather predictions of Phil are more than 50% accurate, though the residents of Punxsutawney say that he is 100% accurate, of course.

While Groundhog Day seems like a rather weird holiday to many, it is simply a fun and quirky way to look at weather. Many school children have fun with the day and get to learn about weather and even groundhogs themselves at the same time. They often learn about hibernation as well as the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

So, while the holiday is a bit odd, it is built from strong tradition and meant to educate and entertain at the same time.

Where to Find Groundhog Day Trivia and Jokes Online

Groundhog Day Trivia:

Groundhog Day - Groundhogs Day Holiday Website

Groundhog Day 2008, Punxsutawney Phil Facts, History & Trivia

Groundhog Day - Origins, Facts & Groundhog Day Fun - Punxsutawney Phil

Groundhog Day Trivia - January & February Quiz

Holiday Quiz.com - Groundhog Day - History Trive Quiz Game


Groundhog Day Jokes for Kids:

Groundhog Day Humor - Punxsutawney Phil Fun

Groundhog Day Jokes

Jokes About Groundhog Day Funny Jokes Home

Groundhog Day Links

Where to Find Groundhog Day Coloring Pages and Crafts Online

Groundhog Day Coloring pages for kids:

Groundhogs Coloring Book Pages

Groundhog's Day Coloring Pages - Fun interactive coloring book ...

The ChildFun Family Website - Groundhog Day Theme

Coloring Pages for Groundhog Day: Print out this free coloring ...

Ground Hog Day Coloring Sheet

Groundhog Day Crafts for kids:

Groundhog Day Crafts

Groundhog Day Crafts, Worksheets and Printable Books ...

Groundhog's Day Craft Projects

Happy Groundhog's Day

Groundhog Day Fun - Groundhog Day Crafts, Games, Activities & Books

Groundhog Day Is A Fun Day For Kids Of All Ages...

...Especially When They Do Crafts For This Special Day

By Gail Leino

Everyone looks forward to Groundhog Day because this will mean that winter is almost over. So celebrating this special day is something that kids love to do. One great way for them to celebrate is to let them make crafts for this holiday. They will have fun and the crafts are easy to do.

One fun and easy craft they can do is the pop-up groundhog puppet. You will need to have the kids cut out a circle from brown construction paper to use for the head. Then they need to cut out a small oval for the body from the brown construction paper. Have the kids draw the mouth and eyes onto the head or you can use googly eyes. Glue the head and body of the groundhog onto a craft stick or popsicle stick. Using a paper or Styrofoam cup you want to cut a small slit in the bottom. Decorate the paper cup with markers or paint. These make very adorable groundhog puppets that kids can have hours of fun with.

A second craft that they will enjoy is the groundhog mask. Have the kids paint the back of a paper plate brown. Then they will need to draw the face of the groundhog onto the plate. They will need big eyes and a mouth. Then cut out the eyes and mouth. They will need to cut two small ears that are curved from the brown construction paper. Then glue the ears to the top of the plate. You can use a little pink circle made from paper for the nose and then glue it on. The whiskers will need to be glued on also. You can use string or pipe cleaners. Put holes in both sides of the mask and tie some string to it so that it will stay on the kids head. These two crafts will make Groundhog Day even more fun for any kid.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Groundhog Day party supplies and fun Groundhog Day party games She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Groundhog Day Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino
http://EzineArticles.com/?Groundhog-Day-Is-A-Fun-Day-For-Kids-Of-All-Ages-Especially-When-They-Do-Crafts-For-This-Special-Day&id=881031