Groundhog Day is this Sunday, February 2. While not the most popular of annual traditions, there are still many cute and clever ways to celebrate the occasion. Suppose you’re up for a little travel. In that case, you may even consider attending the main event—the yearly Prognostication that takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, signifying whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow (or not), foretelling how many more weeks of winter weather we can expect. But there are also plenty of other family-friendly follies to consider that are of a much closer commute for those of us in the Mid-Atlantic region. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for instance, there are two free events to consider bringing the whole family out for on the big day.
Annual Groundhog Day Celebration in Stauffer Park
The first event of the day is the annual Groundhog Day Celebration in Stauffer Park, hosted by the Manheim Township Recreation Department. Now in its fifth season as a yearly yearned-for event to ward off the midwinter blues, all the family-friendly fun is set to begin bright and early Sunday morning, at 7 a.m. That’s because the official Groundhog Prognostication will be at 7:12 a.m. when sunrise commences.
For this annual groundhog prognostication, the honors are conducted by the lovable mascot MT Parker—a life-like groundhog plush. For last year’s event, the conclusion was that he saw his shadow. This year, it’s anyone’s guess.
Following the grand event, onsite festivities will continue at the Carriage House at Stauffer Mansion and its surrounding grounds through 9 a.m. Free for all to attend, guests of all ages are welcome to indulge in an array of activities and offerings, including face painting, arts and crafts, music, light refreshments, hot chocolate, and even photo ops with the one and only MT Parker.
Stauffer Park—Carriage House is located at 1241 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Click here to learn more.
Groundhog Day Prognostication and Party
Just as this event wraps up, another one will be underway, leading what’s a still-new annual tradition in the making. Made possible by Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation are two awesome Groundhog Day happenings. The first is their official Groundhog Prognostication, which will be held at Hempfield Apothetique on Sunday, February 2, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.—another all-ages event.
For this prognostication, Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation’s two resident groundhogs, Elliott and his sister Lilly (who is experiencing her first-ever Groundhog Day this year), will be leading the occasion. As guests attend, they will be treated to snacks, coffee, and more goodies. The official prognostication will take place onsite at 10 a.m. Following that, guests may snag photo ops with the groundhog forecasters.
That’s not all that Acorn Acres has planned for the day. The party continues with a literal “party” from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Imperial Event Center. Once again presented as a free family-oriented event, all are invited to come out and enjoy a host of onsite happenings throughout the afternoon and into the evening. There will be games like cornhole and Jenga presented on the heated terrace, a BINGO match (substituting the word “Bingo” with “Groundhog”) at 4:30 p.m., a Groundhog Presentation by naturalist Carter Johnson at 5:30 p.m., and appearances once again by Elliott and his sister Lilly. This time they will be in attendance to prognosticate the Super Bowl winner.
The evening will also include ongoing raffles, crafting events for children, and more. The Imperial’s own resident mixologists will also be featuring two special cocktails in honor of Groundhog Day. Food will also be available for purchase from the restaurant.
While both Acorn Acres-led events are free to attend, registration is suggested to indicate a ballpark head count. To learn more about both events, get directions to each location, or register for one or both of these, visit the Acorn Acres website link.
In addition to these, there are any number of low-key Groundhog Day celebrations presented throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Consider scouting around on your own and starting a new tradition to mark Groundhog Day 2025.