Groundhog Day festivities return to Hope Town Square

Hope area residents are invited out for the return of the town’s annual Groundhog Day event at 8:30 a.m. February 2 on the Hope Town Square.

Attendees are encouraged to begin gathering at 8 a.m. and enjoy delicious treats offered by The Swiss Maid and WILLow LeaVes of Hope, says Matt Lee, executive director of Main Street of Hope, which is hosting the event.

Lee says the festivities will include a brief memorial service for Grubby the Groundhog who died last year after many years as Hope’s bearer of good (or bad) news – depending on how one chose to interpret the prediction of more or less winter.

This year, an aptly named Hope the Groundhog will offer the prediction of if we will see six more weeks of chill or enjoy an early spring.

Lee says many familiar faces will return this year to help officiate the roughly 15-minute long ceremony.

“I’ll be dressed up this year,” Lee says. “I am actually wearing an 1800’s Ben Franklin outfit, so something a little different. I will welcome everyone to Hope.”

Representatives from Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators, which also happens to be Hope the Groundhog’s home, will speak about their mission and what it is they do, Lee adds. And, then, it will be time for Hope the Groundhog to step out and make her prediction.

Main Street of Hope encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the morning’s festivities; however, due to the recent surge in local COVID cases, they understand not everyone may be comfortable attending.

“I hope we have a good event and several people out,” Lee says. “Don’t feel like you have to come, but if you want to, come join us.”