WOODSTOCK, IL — It’s almost that time of year again.
One of McHenry County’s most beloved annual traditions happens every where on Groundhogs Day in Woodstock. This Friday, he town’s Woodstock Willie will be pulled out of his tree stump on stage at Woodstock’s Square and will make its annual prognostication.
The festival plays homage to the 1992 film, “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray, which was filmed in Woodstock. Four days of festivities will kick off on Thursday and continue through Sunday.
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For those hoping to make the stop out to Woodstock, here is what you will need to know if you go:
Friday’s Prognostication
The prognostication will be held at 7 a.m. Friday and those hoping to get a spot closest to the beloved Woodstock Willie will need to arrive early. And, of course, be sure to bundle up. This year’s high temps in Woodstock will be 42 degrees and partly sunny and it’s anyone’s guess at this point if the festive groundhog will see its shadow, or not, and call for an early spring, or not. Allow for time to find parking, this can also be a challenge in Woodstock Square on the morning of the prognostication.
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Tom Skilling Comes To Town
Local beloved weatherman, Tom Skilling, will be out at this year’s Groundhog Days festival. He will be on stage when Willie makes his initial appearance and will translate the rodent’s prediction and share it with the crowd.
Skilling, who has been a meteorologist with WGN for decades, will be retiring at the end of February and it’s his first time out to the festival.
Woodstock Willie did travel to the WGN studios this past week to meet with Skilling and the WGN crew.
If You Can’t Make It Friday…
… don’t fret! The festival will be running for Thursday through Sunday with plenty of fun events planned.
Here is a look at the schedule of events:
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
More information on this year’s festival can be found here: woodstockgroundhog.org.
The History of Groundhog Days Fest
According to the Groundhog Days website, 1992 marked a fun time for the city of Woodstock. Here is what festival officials have to say about the history of the fest and why Woodstock celebrates to this day:
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In 1992, something astonishing happened in the historic city of Woodstock, Illinois. People came to town and roped off the picturesque city square, moved all sorts of equipment into the park and started playing the Pennsylvania Polka, over and over and over again. They were filming a movie that has become a favorite of young and old for almost 30 years, and the city gathers each year to remember the fun and celebrate the special community that Woodstock has always been. We’ve had visitors from as far away as Australia, celebrities from the Groundhog Day movie and local media and everyone agrees that this festival is a great way to shake off the gloom of Winter, if just for a few days. Click here to read the history of Groundhog Days.
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