Your Guide To Groundhog Days 2020

WOODSTOCK, IL — For years, visitors from near and far have made the trek to Woodstock to take part in its annual Groundhog Days festivities. The annual festival will get underway Thursday and commemorates the 1992 filming of the classic, "Groundhog Day," which starred Bill Murray and shot scenes in the historic Woodstock Square and around Woodstock.

Here is a look at the schedule of events for the upcoming days:

Thursday, Jan. 30

• 5 to 6 p.m. — Groundhog Day Story Time, Stage Left Cafe, 125 W. Van Buren in Woodstock: The Woodstock Public Library will host this free "warmup event" before the "Awakening." Kids can come and hear stories about groundhogs told by a local librarian.
• 6 p.m. — Welcoming of the Groundhog/Groundhog Awakening, Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren in Woodstock: Woodstock Willie will make an appearance in the Opera House and spectators are invited to gather in the auditorium. Following a few surprises, Willie will be available for photos with his fans.
• 6:30 p.m. — Groundhog Day Trivia, Stage Left Cafe, 125 W. Van Buren in Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhogs Days website 6 to 9 p.m. — Woodstock Willie Craft Beer Sampling, ShadowView Brewery, 2400 Lakeshore Drive in Woodstock: The event will benefit the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County. The cost is $35 in advance or $40 at the door and includes 10 samplings of ShadowView’s own brew along with appetizers and homemade pizza. More information is available on the Groundhogs Days website.

Friday, Jan. 31

• 1 to 4 p.m. — Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia & Memories, Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd Street in Woodstock. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 6 to 10 p.m. — Groundhog Day Dinner Dance, Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329, 406 Clay Street in Woodstock. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.

Saturday, Feb. 1

• 8 a.m. — Breakfast with Willie's Woodland Friends, Flores Banquets, 240 North Throop Street in Woodstock: There breakfast food as well as bloody marys and mimosas available for purchase. While you eat, attendees can learn about and meet Willie’s woodland friends with an animal expert.The cost is $12 per adult and $6 per child (for children ages e to 8 years old). More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 and 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 2. — Groundhog Day Movie Display, Woodstock Public Library, 4144 W. Judd Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 10 a.m. on Feb. 1 and 10 a.m. on Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day the Movie Showing, Harold Ramis Auditorium, Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 1o a.m. — Jim May's Groundhog Tales, Home State Bank, 124 Johnson Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Opera House and Old Courthouse Tours: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• Noon to 1 p.m. — Groundhog Day Chili Cook-Off, Woodstock Moose Club #1329, 406 Clay Street, Woodstock: A public tasting and judging of the chili will start at noon. There is a $25 entry fee and meat will be provided by Jewel-Osco. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• Check-in at noon, tournament starts at 1 p.m. — Woodstock Rotary Bags Tourney, Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern, 101 East Church Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 1:30 p.m. — Walking Tour of Filming Sites, meet at the Moose Club, 406 Clay Street, Woodstock: This fun and informative tour of the “Groundhog Day” filming sites will end at the B & B where Bill Murray woke up every morning. Attendees are invited inside to see the Cherry Tree Inn and warm up with hot cider. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Groundhog Day Bingo, Blue Lotus Temple, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 6 to 10 p.m. — Groundhog Day Pub Crawl, Woodstock Square: The fun starts by the fireplace on the patio in front of the Old Courthouse on the town square. Tickets are $20, and the first 100 will get a commemorative Groundhog Day scarf to keep warm on walk around town. Participants will also get two drink tokens to use at bars within two blocks the square. More information is available on the Ground Days website.
• 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Groundhog Day Trivia, Stage Left Cafe, 125 W. Van Buren,Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.

Sunday, Feb. 2

• 7 a.m. — Groundhog Prognostication, Woodstock Square: Hundreds will brave the cold winter weather to see if Woodstock Willie has spotted his shadow or not. To wake Woodstock Willie from his winter nap, there will be a polka band playing in the bandstand on the square. There will also be a re-enactment of the Groundhog Day ceremony that as a weatherman, Bill Murray reported on over and over again. More information is available on the Groundhog Days website
• Drink to World Peace — 7:30 a.m., Public House of Woodstock, 101 N. Johnson Street, Woodstock: Come to the bar 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.
• Opera House and Old Courthouse Tours —7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Opera House and Old Courthouse: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• Groundhog Day Breakfast — 7:30 to 9 a.m., Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329, 406 Clay Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 8 to 11 a.m. — Groundhog Wood Carving, The Park in the Square, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 10 a.m.: — Groundhog Day the Movie Showing, Harold Ramis Auditorium, Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Woodstock Willie's Family Funday, Mixin Mingle, 124 Cass Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 12 p.m. — Walking Tour of Filming sites, meet at Opera House, 121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Groundhog Day Movie Display, Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd Street, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.
• 2 p.m. — The Making of Groundhog Day, Woodstock Opera House, 121 W Van Buren St, Woodstock: More information is available on the Groundhog Days website.