You may not know whether or not Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Friday morning, but you can count on witnessing an Ellison Bay tradition traveling south on State Highway 42 later that afternoon.  The Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade returns for its second consecutive year beginning at 4 p.m. after being canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic. Organizers began putting out the call for the “inclement weather band” members a few weeks ago, asking prospective participants to bring their spoons, tambourines, recorders, and more to perform on the half-mile parade route. The event also features unique costumes and floats as a part of the festivities that all started with an offhand comment from a Gibraltar school teacher, according to parade participant Jane Lee last year.

Those looking to be in the parade are invited to line up on Garrett Bay Road near the Ellison Bay Post Office at 3:45 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Door County North