Beyond Punxsutawney: How Groundhog Day is celebrated in other cities (with other animals)

Quarryville, Pennsylvania: Said to be a rival to Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebration, Quarryville’s Octoraro Orphie used to be a contender against Punxsutawney Phil. Formed in 1907, Slumbering Groundhog Lodge hosts the other major Pennsylvania weather-predicting groundhog during this holiday, but get this. . . the groundhog doing the predicting is a stuffed – as in taxidermied – mascot named Orphie. The central Pennsylvania town also throws a parade to ring in the holiday that bridges the winter and spring.

Milltown, New Jersey: New Jersey’s beloved and long-time groundhog-in-charge was named Milltown Mel but unfortunately, Milltown’s furry friend died in 2022. It has been difficult to replace the seasoned rodent meteorologist since his passing. The town which hosts thousands for the holiday has had to cancel its celebration because organizers of the event have had challenges with New Jersey’s state regulations regarding wild animals.

Staten Island, New York: New Jersey’s beloved and long-time groundhog-in-charge was named Milltown Mel but unfortunately, Milltown’s furry friend died in 2022. It has been difficult to replace the seasoned rodent meteorologist since his passing. The town which hosts thousands for the holiday has had to cancel its celebration because organizers of the event have had challenges with New Jersey’s state regulations regarding wild animals.

Numerous other cities in the Northeast celebrate the tradition too. In Wantage, New Jersey their groundhog is Stonewall Jackson. West Orange, New Jersey has Essex Ed. In Great Neck, New York they have Great Neck Greta, and in the Hamptons, their groundhog is named Quigley. Others include Dunkirk Dave in western New York and French Creek Freddie in West Virginia.