Woodstock Willie's Groundhog Day

This past weekend, I went to the 14th annual Groundhog Day celebration in Woodstock, Illinois. This was my fourth trip to it, possibly fifth.

The 1993 movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray was filmed there in 1992.

It is actually an eight day event these days, starting the previous Sunday with a pancake breakfast at the Moose Lodge (scene of the final party where Rita "buys" Phil), but the biggest things are the prognostication, Lighting of the Groundhog, viewing of the movie (in the Woodstock Theater called the Alpine in the movie, where Bill gave his Clint Eastwood impersonation), chili cook off, plaquing and movie site walk, movie symposium, and Groundhog Dance.

Attendance continues to pick up as people find out about it. Plus, this year, Groundhog Day fell on a Saturday and we had much nicer weather than last frozen year. A record 1000 people watched the 7:07 am prognostication (Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow so winter will soon be over, although with the 12-14 inches of snow we got here yesterday, I'm not sure). I missed it as I didn't wake up until 7:10.

I did make it in time for the 10 am showing of the movie. Usually, only one of the four screens at the theater has it, but today, there were two and full houses for both. This is a free movie!!! Nothing like watching the original movie where it was filmed. The audience cheers every time the movie house is shown.

I had to sit three rows from the screen in order to be on the end of the row, a place I don't much care for, but the only ones available. Two families with young kids came in to fill out the row. A young child is NOT going to enjoy this movie. There were numerous trips to the bathroom, refills (which are free) and much youthful talking. Parents, it's a free movie, hire a babysitter.

To Be Continued. --RoadDog