Eight hundred miles away and a few hours after Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his hole in Pennsylvania, you will be able to celebrate either an early spring or six more weeks of winter. The Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade returns to its streets on Thursday at 4 p.m. for the first time since Super Bowl Sunday 2020. The pandemic canceled the 2021 and 2022 editions of the annual event. When it does take place, it is known for its decorated cars, dogs, and the Inclement Weather Marching Band. Event participant Jane Lee says it has been a fun event ever since a Gibraltar teacher commented that the school’s lunch ladies skipped Groundhog Day when decorating for Valentine’s Day.

Those interested in participating can stage for the event in the parking lot of The Vault before the parade heads north towards downtown Ellison Bay at 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade Facebook page