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Get Ready for Groundhog Day!
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 1, 2009
Modified Feb 1, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 1, 2009
Modified Feb 1, 2009
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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.
Tagged
groundhog
groundhog day
staten island chuck
staten island zoo
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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