As mentioned before, Punxsutanwney, Pennsylvania, has gone a long way to let the world know about its groundhog and its celebration of things groundhoggish. Of course, that town isn’t the only place to do so, just the best known. I’ll bet few people south of the U.S.-Canada line know about Wiarton Willie. I didn’t know myself until I passed through Wiarton, Ontario, a couple of years ago, because travel is broadening, you know.
Back in the U.S., there is an up-and-coming town for celebrating groundhogs, and it’s less than an hour’s drive from where I live: Woodstock, Illinois. Yuriko and I made that drive on Saturday and spent a few hours in Woodstock’s pleasant downtown. The town has no history of imported northern European folk customs associated with rodents, but of course director Harold Ramis’ decision to film the many Groundhog Day exteriors in Woodstock did the trick.
Since I was there last, a new acknowledgment of the movie has been added in Woodstock Square, which is the hub of the historic downtown.
Very new, as in added earlier this month. In fact, on August 2 – six months ahead or behind February 2.
The square passes for Gobbler’s Knob in the movie. It looks little like the actual Gobbler’s Knob, but in the world of movies, that’s a big so what. Local artist Erik Blome did this latest iteration of Woodstock Willie. I’d seen a work of his before: Jack Benny and his violin (and alligators) in Waukegan.
There is a newer plaque, and an older one, near the latest Woodstock Willie statue.
Not far from the square, behind the town movie theater, is an older Willie.
Woodstock has its own groundhog fest, and this is the place from which Willie emerges. I assume that it – cage isn’t the word, maybe temporary pen – is moved to Woodstock Square for the February 2 event, though it’s unlikely I will be at that event to see for myself.
Other local plaques refer to the movie. This one has been in place for quite a while.
Others look newer.
Even the grand Woodstock Opera House wants its role in the movie acknowledged.
Also near the local movie theater is a Groundhog Day mural, evoking the movie’s promotional materials, and adding Woodstock Willie retroactively.
A good mural, but how is it Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky) rates a spot? It is a funny bit and all, but I’d much rather see Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) there.