Shortly after the prediction was revealed, Phil’s inner circle said Phil told him to say “After winter, you’re looking forward to one of the most beautiful and brightest springs you’ve ever seen.”
Another member of the “inner circle” noted the uniqueness of the past year.
“People have been referencing Groundhog Day. It has felt like at times we’re all living the same day over and over again,” one of the members said. “Groundhog Day also shows us that the monotony ends. The cycle will be broken.”
He added: “Today actually is Groundhog Day, there’s only one. There is quite literally a new day coming over the horizon.”
Groundhog Day went all virtual and included cardboard cut-outs to represent spectators in a livestream, which had more than 15,000 viewers at one point.
As the story goes, if Phil sees his shadow as he did this year, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not, spring comes early.
The livestream from Gobbler’s Knob, just outside Punxsutawney about 65 miles north-east of Pittsburgh, is made possible by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. The event there – always on February 2nd. – dates back to 1887.
