February 2nd, 2023

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day (Canadian French: Jour de la Marmotte; Pennsylvania German: Grundsaudaag, Murmeltiertag) is a day celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks.[1]

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge,[2] social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.[3]

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition,[4] received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day.[5]


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All details taken directly from provider content at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day

Frozen Food

It if wasn't once frozen, don't bother eating it today

Crepe Day

Celebrate Crepe Day (as opposed to Pancake Day) with a crispy, thin, French-style crepe â?? we recommend the classic lemon-and-sugar approach, but why not go crazy and experiment?
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All details taken directly from provider content at http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/crepe-day/

Hedgehog Day

Ouch! Hedgehog Day highlights these loveable creatures but heed this word of warning, don’t get too close. As we all know hedgehogs are covered in spines but what you may not have known is that these spines are actually hollow hairs stiffened by keratin. Hedgehogs use their spines as a defense mechanism when under threat by rolling into a tight ball so all the spikes point outwards, what is less well known is that they also use them for cheese and pineapple during cocktail parties (there is yet to be any photographic evidence of this).

Hedgehogs rely heavily on their sense of smell; they can smell food under an inch of soil and can often sense the presence of danger. They tend to search for food at night and can travel a distance of 2-3 KMs. One very strange fact about hedgehogs is that they self-anoint which seems to be connected with irregular smells or tastes making them create large quantities of frothy saliva which they flick over their spines with their tongue (please do not disturb a hedgehog in the middle of this process, it’s like catching someone in the shower).

There have been a number of famous hedgehogs in popular culture, the most famous probably being Sonic the Hedgehog, he’s certainly the fastest. Beatrix Potter created Mrs. Tiggywinkle, another well-known hedgehog who happens to be extremely good at laundry; however, she has never washed Sonic’s smelly trainers.

Enjoy hedgehogs responsibly:

  • It’s fine to offer food but cat/dog food is better than milk and bread
  • Always allow an escape route from your pond or water feature
  • Always check bonfires before lighting
  • Leave gaps in walls and fences to encourage the spiny visitors

Our research shows…

That Hedgehog Day is both a Roman tradition preceding the modern ‘Groundhog Day’, as well as the release date for Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in the USA, in 1994.


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All details taken directly from provider content at http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hedgehog-day/

World Play Your Ukulele Day

Each year Play Your Ukulele Day gives you a chance to ‘change the world four strings at a time’ by playing your ukulele, sharing it, and teaching others to play. That is, presuming that you own one…


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All details taken directly from provider content at http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/play-your-ukulele-day/

Marmot Day

Marmot Day is a celebration of marmots, a group of large squirrel-like animals that includes groundhogs, woodchucks and ground squirrels. Even though marmots are found all over the world, from Canada to Mexico and from Russia to India, these animals don’t seem to get the attention they deserve. Marmot Day was established in 2002 to celebrate these interesting creatures.

Marmot Day festivities take many different forms. Marmot Day is an official holiday in Alaska, and it typically involves a family dinner where marmot jokes and anecdotes are shared. The city of Owosso in Michigan hosts a Marmot Day festival which offers many family activities and a marmot video contest.

Want to celebrate Marmot Day, but can’t make it to Alaska or Michigan? No problem. If you live near marmot habitats, you can go marmot watching — if not, you can try researching marmots online or buying yourself a stuffed marmot.


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All details taken directly from provider content at http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/marmot-day/

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