State high student Camryn Bendik went to Punxsutawney for the Annual celebration of Groundhog Day. Groundhog day evolved from the beliefs associated to Candlemas Day; where if the sun came out on the day between the winter solstice and spring equinox then it meant that there were six more weeks of winter weather. If it was a sunny day then an animal would cast a shadow. Germans then would watch a badger to see if it saw its own shadow. Later a groundhog was used instead of a badger. Punxsutawney is home to the legendary groundhog, Phil, who predicts the fate of winter. Punxsutawney hosts festivities for Groundhog day.

State High Junior, Camryn Bendik, and her father went to Punxsutawney to experience the festives for themselves. They started their journey at 11 o’clock the night before. They then drove about two hours to a Walmart parking lot in a town close by, where they then got on a shuttle that took them to Gobblers knob, where the festivities took place. Once they were at Gobblers Knob they waited several hours outside to finally see Punxsutawney Phil.

Bendik said, “There was a lot more than what I was expecting, there were live bands, belly dancers, fireworks, and a “t-shirt gun” going off.” She also later said that she thought there were about 30,000 people there and they all went crazy when Phil came out. She said her expectations were blown away and she would definitely recommend going.