Woodstock Groundhog Day celebrations still scheduled despite COVID-19 pandemic

Annual event celebrates Bill Murray's 'Groundhog Day' movie

ByMichelle Corless WLS logo
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Woodstock Groundhog Days still scheduled despite pandemic
Woodstock Groundhog Days celebrates the filming of the Bill Murray movie every year.

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) -- Woodstock Groundhog Days celebrates the filming of the Bill Murray movie every year, and that celebration will continue in 2021, with COVID-19 safety protocols.

The indoor events next week like the breakfast, movies, dinner dance and chili cook-off have all been canceled. The outdoor activities, like the bags tournament and prognostication, will still happen. Guests are required to wear masks and social distance.

The bags tournament raises money for the Woodstock Food Pantry. It's at Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern. It starts at noon, with check-in at 11 a.m. You can sign up the day of the tournament. It costs $40 for a two-person team.

RELATED: Woodstock celebrates annual Groundhog Days Festival

Punxsutawney Phil may have declared an early Spring, but Woodstock's very own groundhog begs to differ.

The main event falls on Groundhog Day itself. Will Woodstock Willie see his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter? Or will there be an early spring?

This year's prognostication will be streamed online to allow people to celebrate safely at home.

Since the event is on a Tuesday morning, crowds are typically small anyway. The annual event is set for 7 a.m.