On Saturday, Jan. 17, Punxsutawney Phil made a special appearance at The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House in downtown State College, giving fans of all ages the chance to meet the famous groundhog in person.
Fans arrived as early as 1 p.m., and by the start of the meet-and-greet at 2 p.m., the line extended from The Press on Hiester Street, past College Avenue, and wrapped around to South Garner Street.
Inside the Tap House, fans were able to take photos with Phil and his handlers while enjoying free groundhog-shaped gingerbread cookies. Adults sampled the taproom’s ciders, and families played bingo while Bill Murray’s “Groundhog Day” played in the background.
Travellers came from all over central Pennsylvania for the event. Many visitors were Penn State students, while several State High students also showed up.
“It was exhilarating…he was so cute,” State High senior Ali Schirf said. “The president gave him a little peanut, and we got coins and a groundhog cookie.”
“Everybody’s super passionate about Phil,” fellow senior Esra Aydin said.
State High junior Meredith Henderson, who came with her parents and siblings, described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, and said she was excited to see Phil up close.
Organizers said bringing Phil to State College was a way to share a small-town Pennsylvania tradition with the community.
“Punxsutawney Phil is so happy to be in State College, and he’s thrilled to be at The Press,” Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel said. “The four owners of The Press are all from Punxsutawney, so Phil has a connection to them, and that’s why he wanted to come down and visit.”
Outside of the taphouse, Butch Philliber, nicknamed “Iceman,” passed out souvenir coins and talked with those waiting to meet the famed groundhog.
“I’ve enjoyed it for 37 years,” Philliber said, a member of the Groundhog Club, or Phil’s “Inner Circle,” since 1988. “It is always enjoyable to meet and greet new people from all over the United States and the world…[Phil has] become a worldwide phenomenon.”
While the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney draws thousands each year, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, founded in 1887, is the organization responsible for caring for Phil and upholding his lore.
The State College visit is one of many made by Phil and the club, who, according to their official website, “travel throughout the world, visiting people who wish to meet Phil and find out more about his amazing popularity and regal stature.”
“The more people that see and interact with Phil understand how much fun…it is to be part of the groundhog legend,” Philliber said.
The event gave State College residents a chance to experience a piece of Punxsutawney culture without travelling all the way to Jefferson County, where Phil is expected to make his annual prognostication at Gobbler’s Knob on Monday, Feb. 2.
