Punxsutawney Phil makes his Groundhog Day prediction
Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle -- they’re the ones in the top hats -- gather around the groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil at the annual Groundhog Day event in Pennsylvania. The club’s members reported that Phil saw his shadow, which according to legend means winter will last for another six weeks. (Chris Gardner / EPA)
Punxsutawney, Pa., is about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, so many of the onlookers at the Groundhog Day event were also basking in the glow of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl victory on Sunday. Cheryl Lechtanski of Middletown, N.J., wore some Steelers’ garb as she waited in the predawn hours for Punxsatawney Phil to make his appearance. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
John Griffiths holds up Punxsutawney Phil for all to see. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
Al Donst of Belvedere, N.J. wears a hat sporting a groundhog and an American flag. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
Ben Hughes, the official handler of Punxsutawney Phil, holds the groundhog in the air at Gobblers Knob, the little hill in Punxsutawney, Pa., where the rodent annually makes his weather prediction. (Chris Gardner / EPA)
Revelers Ed Hansen, front left, of Algoma, Wisc., and Andrew Kitslaar, right, of Monona, Wisc., join the frosty fun. (Chris Gardner / EPA)
Fireworks silhouette a top hat worn by a member of the Puxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle.
