Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day in America, and no not the Bill Murray film. On the 2nd February every year, the states across America and their personal groundhog predict whether or not it is officially spring.

Chuckles VIII Gives Her Prediction

According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

Connecticut's Chuckles VIII was in Manchester this year to reveal to the world her prediction. Despite it only being half an hours drive from where we are, the doors opened at 6am and I am not a morning person in the slightest. 

This was Chuckles VIII first appearance and she is keenly aware of her celebrity status as Connecticut's official groundhog.  You may only see her sleeping, but that is because she is up all night consulting with meteorologist, examining satellite photos and reading her farmer's almanac. 

At 6.55am, when the sun rose Chuckles VIII gave the people of Connecticut the bad news as she scurried back into her burrow, alerting the world media that we will continue to freeze for another six weeks. This, however, was contradicted by Pennsylvania's, Punxsutawney Phil (the official groundhog) who claimed that we are to expect an early Spring. Only time will tell which groundhog is correct.