Will Willie See His Shadow?: Groundhog Days Fest Is Underway

WOODSTOCK, IL — It's that time of year again. And it will soon be Woodstock Willie's time to shine.

The Groundhog Days festival is underway in Woodstock with the official prognostication set for 7 a.m. Wednesday in Woodstock Square. Hundreds are expected to brave the cold to see if Woodstock Willie sees his shadow or not.

If he doesn't see his shadow, according to legend, Chicago is set for an early spring. If he does, well, we all may need to brace for more cold and snow and another six weeks of winter.

The morning will include entertainment from a polka band, which plays in the bandstand on the Square, and is meant to be a re-enactment of the scene from the classic movie "Groundhog Day," in which Bill Muray plays a cynical weatherman named Phil Connors. The scene was filmed in Woodstock Square, over and over again, as Connors is forced to relive the day as part of the premise for the 1993 comedy.

The event is free, but attendees should be sure to bundle up. The forecast for early Wednesday shows temps in the teens, with 17 degrees expected at 7 a.m.

There is parking available around the Square and free public lots off each side of the square. This map will help you to find parking.

Events have been underway in Woodstock in recent days as the town celebrates. Here is a look at other events happening in Woodstock in the coming days:

• Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia & Memories: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St. The Woodstock Public Library will have pictures up and press clippings from the Groundhog Day filming in 1992. See sketches of the film sets used and memorabilia donated by the late Harold Ramis and the production company. Masks are required in the library.
• Groundhog Day Storytelling with Jim May: 7 p.m. Monday at Stage Left Cafe, 125 W. Van Buren St. in Woodstock. More information is available here.
• Dowdle Puzzle Competition: 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Stage Left Cafe, 125 West Van Buren St., Woodstock. Teams can sign up for the 30th Anniversary Groundhog Days Puzzle contest. The Puzzles will be 100-piece Dowdle titles and more information is available here.
• Groundhog Day - the Movie: The movie will be shown at the Harold Ramis Auditorium, Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main St., Woodstock, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The cost is $2 per seat. You can purchase tickets and get more info here.
• Drink to World Peace: Come to the Public House of Woodstock, 101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, at 7:30 a.m., where Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell "Drink to World Peace" in the movie. The bar in the Public House restaurant on the ground floor of the old courthouse is the place to gather after the big ceremony in the park. More info is available online.
• Groundhog Day Breakfast: The breakfast will be held immediately following the prognostication at the Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329, 406 Clay St., Woodstock, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. More info is available online.
• Meet & Greet with Eric Dowdle, Dowdle Groundhog Day puzzle artist: Held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Read Between the Lines, 111 E. Van Buren St., Woodstock. More info is available online.
  Groundhog Day Walking Tour: The tour starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. More info is available online.