Get Ready for Groundhog Day!

Photograph of Chuck in 2008 by Joe Schumacher

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, the day we rely on furry animals to predict whether we'll see another 6 weeks of winter or an early spring. Sure, Punxsatawney, PA-residing Phil has been celebrated in the 1993 classic, Groundhog Day, but New Yorkers have Staten Island Chuck, who spends half the week at the Staten Island Zoo and the other half at his keeper's house (he commutes by public transit!).

The Staten Island Advance reports that "Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Michael McMahon and other notable figures" will be on hand for the extravaganza (we went last year). For the Staten Island Zoo's Groundhog Day festivities, the doors open at 7 a.m. and the ceremony and prediction begin at 7:30 a.m.

And don't worry—Chuck has been getting pumped, as you can see from this video below.

Groundhog Staten Island Chuck vs. the Shadow

Something else to look forward to: WNBC anchor Sue Simmons' groundhog impression (here's last year's). And for the doubters, you can enjoy this 2004 Slate article.

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By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on February 1, 2009 3:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Not Your Sweetie

Staten Island Chuck is hardly the only NYC Groundhog. East Village Woody may be a stuffed groundhog but he correctly predicted last year long winter (over Phil's mistaken one).

This year Woody already interviewed East Villagers about their predictions and will give his today

snoopydog

Ground hogs like geese, rats, mice, squirrels and other mixed small rodent mammals should be totally destroyed. They serve no purpose in life. They are a nuisance and have nothing to do with forecasting weather or the potential pregnancy of teenagers in the outer boros.

If you want accurate winter forecasting one must look to a hedge hog.