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Arts & Entertainment

Groundhog Day 2013: Forget Punxsutawney Phil, Go to Woodstock

Just don't take the brown acid. Oh, sorry, that's another Woodstock. If you want to get in the fun of Groundhog Day, there's a great weekend trip up the road.

Forget Forget Punxsutawney Phil and Gobbler's Knob, PA.

Woodstock, IL, is the place to be tomorrow—Saturday, Feb. 2, Groundhog Day 2013.

As the Woodstock groundhog website will tell you, Woodstock is located 51 miles northwest of the Chicago loop. It's just 39.6 miles from Geneva, so clearly it's the superior destination point if you care deeply about furry weather forecasters not named Al Roker.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We're not bragging, but the score in 2012 was as far as predicting a shorter winter.  

Woodstock, of course, is the place where the excellent Ramis comedy starring Bill MurrayAndie MacDowell and Chris Elliott was shot.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Woodstock’s weeklong Groundhog Day celebration already is in full swing at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock, according to the Woodstock Groundhog Day website. There are guided tours and free showings of the movie and a good time to be had for all.

Woodstock Willie will make his appearance on the balcony of the Woodstock Opera House at 7 a.m. Saturday and make his prognostication promptly at 7:07 a.m. Spectators are invited to gather on the street below.

"Hundreds will brave the weather and gather on the Woodstock Square to see Woodstock Willie emerge from his tree trunk home. If he sees his shadow, it means there will be six more weeks of winter and if he doesn’t see his shadow, it means we will have an early spring," the website says.

And Woodstock Willie gets woken up by a polka band. Honestly, could it be any better?

"This event is free but be sure to dress for the weather," the website says.

Directions from Geneva to Woodstock

36.9 mi - about 1 hour 1 min

1. Head east on W State St toward S 1st St 59 ft 2. Take the 1st left onto N 1st St 0.8 mi 3. Continue onto Geneva Rd 1.2 mi 4. Continue onto IL-31 N/N 2nd StContinue to follow IL-31 N 12.4 mi 5. Merge onto I-90 W via the ramp toWisconsin/NW TollwayPartial toll road 8.2 mi 6. Take the IL-47 exit toward WoodstockPartial toll road 0.4 mi 7. Turn right onto IL-47 N 12.7 mi 8. Turn left onto Lake Ave 0.9 mi 9. Slight left onto E South St/U.S. 14 Business Route 0.2 mi 10. Turn right onto S Throop St/U.S. 14 Business RouteDestination will be on the right 0.1 mi

 

Related Content

  • Groundhog Day 2012: Woodstock Willie Says 'In Your Face' to Punxsutawney Phil
  • Woodstock Hosts Annual Groundhog Day Prognostication
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