Woodstock Groundhog's Festivities

Groundhog Days Come to Woodstock! Groundhog Days are coming to Woodstock, beginning Friday, January 28, 2011 and continuing through Wednesday, February 2, 2011. What better way is there to break up a long, cold winter than to gather with friends for a week of midwinter lunacy in Woodstock? Starting in 1992, the folks of Woodstock have gathered for a mid-winter celebration to commemorate the filming of the movie “Groundhog Day” in Woodstock in 1992. Where else can you gather “to worship a large rat,” as Bill Murray so eloquently said in the movie “Groundhog Day,” and have such a good time doing it? Come for the food, the shopping, the entertainment and special events – Shadow or no shadow, one thing is for sure – you will have a good time in Woodstock during Groundhog Days. For more information, please contact the Groundhog Days Hotline at 815-338-4483. Awakening of the Groundhog: Friday, January 28, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Welcome Woodstock Willie, the resident groundhog, as he makes his appearance on the roof of the Woodstock Opera House. Then, join other movie fans for a trivia contest with prizes at Stage Left Cafe inside the Woodstock Opera House. Shake Off the Winter Blues Charity Dinner Dance: Friday, January 28, 6:00 p.m. to midnight The Shake off the Winter Blues Charity Dinner Dance is held each year at the Woodstock Moose Lodge and Family Center. The Dinner Dance and Bachelor Auction scenes were filmed in the lodge in 1992. An Italian buffet dinner is served from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. followed by live music and a silent auction. This year’s entertainment is the band “Second Time Around.” Tickets are $15 and are available at the Lodge, Woodstock Public Library, Home State Bank, McHenry County Community Foundation and Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. Groundhog Days, the Movie showing: Saturday, January 29, 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Columbia Pictures filmed most of "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray in Woodstock in 1992. Classic Cinemas sponsors a free showing of the movie during the Groundhog Days celebration at the Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theater, which was featured as "Alpine Theater" in the movie. Seating is limited, so arrive early. Groundhog Tales: Saturday, January 29, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Jim May is an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and writer. Come and bring the family to listen to his stories about groundhogs and their prognostications. Home State Bank, 124 Johnson Street. Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off: Saturday, January 29, 11:00 a.m. Mr. Groundhog tries to give his Groundhog Day duties away. He does not want to be blamed for six more weeks of winter anymore. Local author Pat Stemper Vojta shares her first children's book at Read Between the Lynes bookstore, 129 Van Buren Street. Chili Cook-Off: Saturday, January 29, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Ward off the cold with hot chili at the Woodstock Opera House. Contestants vie for the coveted "Chili Pot" and the public is invited to taste all the entries and vote for the People's Choice award. Potential contestants, see the website for further details on how to enter. Walking Tour of the Filming Sites: Saturday, January 29, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gather at Stage Left Café for a fun and informative tour of the “Groundhog Day” filming sites. Bob Hudgins, who was the location manager for the film, leads the walk around Woodstock. Dress warm and wear comfortable shoes! Movie Symposium: Saturday, January 29, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Join host Dr. Mitchell Olson who is an educator and film enthusiast at Stage Left Cafe. Learn something new, see plenty of clips from the movie, and take part in the interesting, lively, and probing discussion. This year's topics include Ned Ryerson footage from the Blu-Ray version and scenes from other Bill Murray films that were inspired by Groundhog Day. Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, January 30, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Come to the Moose Lodge for breakfast hosted by the Woodstock Lions Club. The dance scene and bachelor auction in the movie Groundhog Day was filmed in the Woodstock Moose Lodge. Groundhog Days, the Movie showing: Sunday, January 30, 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Columbia Pictures filmed most of "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray in Woodstock in 1992. Classic Cinemas sponsors a free showing of the movie during the Groundhog Days celebration at the Woodstock Theater, which was featured as "Alpine Theater" in the movie. Seating is limited, so arrive early. Walking Tour of the Filming Sites: Saturday, January 29, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gather at Stage Left Café for a fun and informative tour of the “Groundhog Day” filming sites. Bob Hudgins, who was the location manager for the film, leads the walk around Woodstock. Dress warm and wear comfortable shoes! Go Hog Wild: Tuesday, February 1, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Celebrate Groundhog Eve amid the Harley "hogs" with beer, wine, and munchies in a fun setting! This event is a fundraiser for Transitional Living Services that provides housing and social services to McHenry County veterans. Take the opportunity to help give a hand to a local veteran who has served his community and country. Tickets are available at Woodstock Public Library, Home State Bank, and McHenry County Community Foundation. Groundhog Day Prognostication: Wednesday, February 2, 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. Celebrate Groundhog Day at Gobbler's Knob, otherwise known as the Woodstock Square Park. Brave the weather and gather on the Woodstock Square to see Woodstock Willie emerge from his tree trunk home just as he did during the Groundhog Day movie filmed in Woodstock in 1992. Groundhog Day Official Breakfast: Wednesday, February 2, 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. Following the Prognostication on the Woodstock Square you are invited to warm up and have breakfast at Pirro’s Restaurante, a short walk down Main St. Tickets are $15 and should be purchased in advance. Along with the buffet breakfast entertainment will be provided. Seating is limited. This event is always a sellout. Tickets are available at Woodstock Public Library, Home State Bank, and McHenry County Community Foundation.

Please note; we try to be as accurate as possible with our events but things are subject to change without notice. Check the listing and confirm before heading to an event.