Viewers are taken to Punxsutawney, PA, where Groundhog Day originated in 1886. There, they see all the town's festive activities associated with this fun holiday -- children's art activities, races, a gigantic chili dinner, folk concerts, hay rides and much more. The keeper of the town's most famous resident, groundhog "Punxsutawney Phil," shows how he takes care of the animal and briefly explains groundhog behavior. Another segment, rendered in beautiful animation, explores the holiday's origins. A trip to the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center helps students understand the difference between predicting weather with old wive's tales and modern, scientific instruments. Weather phenomena, such as the water cycle, are also explained. The program ends with the holiday's big celebration early in the morning of February 2nd, when Punxsutawney Phil predicts how much longer winter weather will last.
Viewers are taken to Punxsutawney, PA, where Groundhog Day originated in 1886. There, they see all the town's festive activities associated with this fun holiday -- children's art activities, races, a gigantic chili dinner, folk concerts, hay rides and much more. The keeper of the town's most famous resident, groundhog "Punxsutawney Phil," shows how he takes care of the animal and briefly explains groundhog behavior. Another segment, rendered in beautiful animation, explores the holiday's origins. A trip to the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center helps students understand the difference between predicting weather with old wive's tales and modern, scientific instruments. Weather phenomena, such as the water cycle, are also explained. The program ends with the holiday's big celebration early in the morning of February 2nd, when Punxsutawney Phil predicts how much longer winter weather will last.
General Note
Originally released by Colman Communications, 2011.
Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on April 24, 2015.
Content Note
Introducing Punxsutawney Phil (1:33); --Pre-Holiday Activities (1:03); -- Taking Care of Phil (1:20); -- A Short History of Groundhog Day (2:08); -- The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center (1:35); -- The Groundhog Day Celebration in Punxsutawney, PA (1:32); -- Program Review (0:44); -- Video Quiz and Credits (2:31); -- Intro to Groundhog Day (4:06); -- Anne's Groundhog Day Clips (0:46); -- Concierge Pediatrician (7:10);.