YORK, Pa. — Friday, Feb. 2 marks the return of Groundhog Day, a time when the eyes of the world turn to the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney to learn how much longer we'll have to endure the winter weather.
That's when the town's resident rodent prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his tree stump to look for his shadow. According to Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks. If it doesn't, then spring will arrive early.
Every year, a crowd of up to 40,000 people gather in Punxsutawney to celebrate Phil's prediction.
But he's not the only game in town.
In Central Pennsylvania, there are several other groundhogs who linger in Phil's shadow -- but that doesn't make their predications any less valid.
Here's a list of some local Groundhog Day celebrations.
LANCASTER COUNTY
Quarryville
The Slumbering Lodge of Hibernating Governors in Kirkwood is notoriously tight-lipped about details, but its resident groundhog, Octoraro Orphie, has generally made his prediction -- after a great deal of pomp and circumstance -- at about 8 a.m. in previous years.
The Lodge is located on White Rock Road in Kirkwood.
"Every year since 1908, Orphie's phenomenal (and still unbroken) streak of correct predictions has earned him the title of 'the one true groundhog,'" the lodge says.
Manheim Township
The Township is hosting the 4th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Friday, Feb. 2 at Stauffer Park, 1241 Lititz Pike.
M.T. Parker will make his prediction at 7 a.m. The family-friendly event will feature light refreshments and crafts for the kids.
Mount Joy
The Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce invites one and all to gather around the Rotary Clock on Marietta Avenue and East Main Street on Friday, Feb. 2 to hear a prediction from the borough's resident rodent prognosticator, Mount Joy Minnie.
Visitors are encouraged to wear their craziest hat for the Crazy Hat Contest!
American Legion Post 185 will provide hot beverages at the event, while Voyage Mount Joy will have donuts.
Lancaster
Sadly, Poppy the Groundhog, who handled the city's predictions in the past, is no longer with us, but Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation is pleased to report her younger brother, Elliott, has taken up the mantle of making a winter prediction.
The public is invited to Ville & Rue, 8 W. King St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 to hear Elliott's weather call.
More details here.
LEBANON COUNTY
Mount Gretna
A relative newcomer to the weather prediction game, Mount Gretna Grady will make his prediction at the Mount Gretna Volunteer Fire Department, 41 Boulevard Ave, on Saturday, Feb. 3.
After a pancake breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., Grady will make his prediction at 10:15 am.
Myerstown
The Lebanon County borough's resident rodent, Groundhog Uni, will make his prediction at 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 2 at the Myerstown Recreation Park on South College Street.
Union Kanaal Grundsau Lodsch #17 of Eastern Lebanon County, a group of men dedicated in persevering their Pennsylvania Dutch roots, have hosted Uni's prediction ceremony since 1981.
YORK COUNTY
York
Founded in 1928, the York Slumbering Groundhog Lodge, reportedly the third oldest Groundhog Lodge in Pennsylvania, has hosted a prediction by "Poor Richard," the lodge's groundhog prognosticator, every year for nearly a century.
This year's prediction will be held on Feb. 2 at the Elks Lodge No. 213, on 223 N. George Street.
Pre-festivities begin at 6:30 A.M., with some "medicinal libations." Breakfast to follow the ceremony at Central Family Restaurant. The opening ceremonies begin at 7:15 a.m.
The ceremonies will begin with the annual reciting of the Groundhog pledge, induction of new Groundhog members and then reading of the weather predictions (prognostications) from all four parts of York County.