Woodstock Willie Did Not See His Shadow

WOODSTOCK, IL —Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow this morning.

The groundhog's prediction, which means we are set for an early spring, contradicted that of Punxsutawney Phil, who made his prediction at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil's prediction: We'll have six more weeks of winter.

As the Groundhog Day legend goes, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it's regarded as an omen for six more weeks of bad weather, and he returns to his den. If not, it means spring will come early and the groundhog remains above ground.

Woodstock has been celebrating the Groundhogs Day festivals for years now. The fest is meant to commemorate not just the annual holiday but the classic movie "Groundhog Day," in which Bill Murray plays a cynical weatherman named Phil Connors.

Scenes from the movie were filmed in Woodstock Square, where Wednesday morning's prognostication took place, as well as around Woodstock.

Beth Dalby contributed to this article.