Woodstock Willie Makes His Prediction

WOODSTOCK, IL — Woodstock Willie emerged hesitantly Thursday morning and made his annual prediction in Woodstock Square on Groundhog Day. The plump groundhog "definitely saw his shadow," which means we are all set for six more weeks of winter.

Willie's prognostication received a mix of groans and cheers from the dozens of revelers who braved the cold early Thursday to hear what he had to say. It also matched Punxsutawney Phil's prediction this year. Phil's prognostication took place at Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, which is about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Phil has been in the early spring prediction business for 137 years, while Willie has been at this for 30 years. According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, which is Feb. 2., there will be six more weeks of winter, but if it doesn't, spring will come early.

The annual prognostication featuring Woodstock Willie started 30 years ago, a year after the popular cult classic, "Groundhog Day," filmed in Woodstock. In the movie, Woodstock portrays Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Bill Murray’s character was mired in a time loop.

Screenwriter Danny Rubin, who wrote "Groundhog Day" 33 years ago, addressed the crowd early Thursday, talking about his inspiration for the screenplay, which he co-wrote with the late Harold Ramis.

"When I sat down 33 years ago to write a movie, I was pretty clear it was about a person who was arrogant and self-centered and needed to relearn how to live by living the same day over and over again," Rubin said. "But that story would not have worked if there wasn't another story about a community of people who choose to come out at dawn in the dead center of winter."

"But they do it to be goofy and funny and silly and to show community spirit and to be appreciative of the lives they have," said Rubin, while the crowd laughed and cheered. "And I wanted to say thank you so much for welcoming me back to your town."

Rubin read Thursday's prognostication at about 7:15 a.m. after a reluctant and plump Willie was pulled from his slumber inside his treehouse that was perched on a gazebo in Woodstock Square.

"Woodstock Willie, the seer of seers and prognosticator of prognosticators, emerged reluctantly but alert in Woodstock, Illinois, to wish his faithful followers a happy Groundhog Day," Rubin said. "Looking up skyward to the east and then behind to the ground, he stated clearly in groundhog-ese, 'I definitely see a shadow.' Six more weeks of winter!"

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After Thursday's prognostication, Rubin is scheduled to address an audience at 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Opera House. Other festivities happening during this year's festival are walking tours led by film production manager Bob Hudgins. These will take place at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 and 1 p.m. both Feb. 4 and Feb. 5.

Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre will screen “Groundhog Day” at 7 p.m. Feb. 1, noon Feb. 2, 10 a.m. Feb. 4 and 10 a.m. Feb. 5. Cost is $2. A detailed list of all the other Groundhog Days festivities can be found at woodstockgroundhog.org.