This year, I turned 40 . 6 months before my birthday, Alan Freed said that I should come out to Punxsutawney Pennsylvania and see a little guy named Phil make his 122nd prediction. Alan grew up in Punxsutawney and told me if I decided to make the trek that I would have a lot of fun since my birthday fell on Groundhog’s Day, February 2nd.
I started to do a bit of research on the event and found the website www.groundhog.org and everything and anything you wanted to know about their get together at Gobbler’s Knob. I knew that they had a large gathering but I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to witness and be there for Phil to see his shadow or not.
I had no idea that I would have so many problems to find a hotel room but I finally found one in Indiana, Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles away. I asked my best friend of 17 years, Arlene, to come with me and celebrate. Some “nice” friends sent along some 40th birthday items like the caution tape that read “WARNING 40TH B-DAY!! PARTY IN PROGRESS!” and a couple of flashing buttons, just incase no one could see the bright yellow caution tape that I would be wearing.
After driving 5 hours, we walked around the town a bit then met up with Alan and his daughter Carrie Ann. The town was everything groundhog. Around every corner and on every corner were groundhogs. Alan said he had a birthday present for me. It was a press pass for the Inner Circle. I had hit the mother lode of all birthday presents. I would be front and center to see Phil at Gobbler’s Knob. As a photographer, this was something I could have only dreamed about. I knew I would be there but to be that close, what a thrill but I had no real idea about what was going to happen. Arlene and I got to sit down at dinner the night before and have the most enjoyable dinner with some of the press guys. Keith was from the Associated Press, Jason from Reuters, Matt, Alan’s brother, Alan and Carrie Ann. They told stories about Phil from years past and the laughter was thunderous and infectious. They were going up to the Knob to set up some equipment and asked if we would like to go along. It was snowing, hard and once we reached the gates, the snow was almost blinding. Huge lights lit up Gobbler’s Knob and where the festivities would be held. After standing in the empty Inner Circle, I couldn’t believe I would be so close.
The next morning started at 2:45am reaching the Wal-Mart in Punxsutawney at about 3:30am. The parking lot was FILLED. Filled with campers, tents, cars, vans, truck and anything that would get someone to Punxsutawney. People were up and partying in the early morning snow. We found one of the last parking spots and made our way to the buses that takes you up to the Knob. Buses started the run to the Knob at 3am and after we got unloaded from our bus there were thousands of people already gathered around the huge bonfire, drinking hot coffee and readying their spot to see Phil.
With the press passes that we were given, we got to walk down a long fenced off aisle to the Inner Circle. There was a roped off section, right in front of the stage and there is where I would be, in amongst the camera crews, AP, Reuters, local, state press people. And then there was me, a woman from Ashville, Ohio, celebrating her 40th birthday, feeling very privileged to be that close. Keith from the AP that I had met the night before was there and gave me the scoop on what to expect. With my camera ready, the party began. Singing, dancing, games, marriage proposals (all three that were asked, said yes), and a wonderful fireworks display. This was a party for Phil with over 30,000 people attending.
At around 7:25am, Phil was brought out and made the following forecast,
Here Ye! Here Ye! Here Ye!
On Gobbler's Knob on this fabulous Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2008
Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators,
Rose to the call of President Bill Cooper and greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting a weathered eye toward thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil consulted with President Cooper and directed him to the appropriate scroll, which proclaimed:
"As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me.
Six more weeks of winter it will be!"
Many boos could be heard for the thought of 6 more weeks of winter but the celebration continued. The majority of the people decided to take the 1.5 mile walk back into town. Everyone you met along the way was so nice to meet, having fun and singing happy birthday to me. It’s as if, for a moment, the woes of the world had been lifted. To say the least, this was just the best birthday and to celebrate it with so many others that have the same birth date. I wanted to share this experience with you and just encourage that if you have a dream, follow it, share it and live it.
Great shot and what a wonderful day! Congrats and happy birthday! (And you should copy and paste the whole narrative in the comments here so people get to hear about the story that goes with this picture!)
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