Handler Mark Szafran displays Woodstock Willie for the crowd gathered in Woodstock Square at the Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow signifying an early spring. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Photos: Woodstock Willie predicts early spring, does not see his shadow
Observers say that groundhog Woodstock Willie didn’t see his shadow on Feb. 2, 2024, Groundhog Day, which according to folklore means Chicago and its suburbs will have an early spring. The annual celebration takes place before thousands in the same town where the movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed.
Leilana Watson, 7, wears a groundhog hat while waiting in Woodstock Square for groundhog Woodstock Willie's prognostication about whether or not the region will have six weeks more of winter at the Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)Actor Bill Murray and longtime WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling say hello as cast members from the movie Groundhog Day gather to commemorate Harold Ramis Day at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier on Groundhog Day on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Thousands of people gather in Woodstock Square waiting for WGN weatherman Tom Skilling and groundhog Woodstock Willie's prognostication about whether or not we’ll have six weeks more of winter at the Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)WGN weatherman Tom Skilling lets the crowd know that groundhog Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow this morning during the Groundhog Day celebration in Woodstock Square on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. This signifies that it will be an early spring. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, left, actor David Pasquesi, and actor Bill Murray toast Harold Ramis as cast members from the movie Groundhog Day commemorate Harold Ramis Day at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier on Groundhog Day on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Handler Mark Szafran displays Woodstock Willie for the crowd gathered in Woodstock Square at the Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow signifying an early spring. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)WGN weatherman Tom Skilling high-fives Rick Bellairs, left, as he introduced to the crowd in Woodstock Square at the Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2, 2024, in Woodstock. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)Bill Murray, left, pretends that he is going to hit Harry the groundhog after it was announced that Harry saw his shadow as the Groundhog Day movie cast members commemorate Harold Ramis Day at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier on Groundhog Day, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Ramis, the director of the 1993 movie, died 10 years ago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
