Woodstock Willie Makes His Prediction

WOODSTOCK, IL — Woodstock Willie emerged Sunday morning and made his annual prediction in Woodstock Square on Groundhog Day. The plump groundhog did not see his shadow, which means an early spring is ahead.

Willie's prognostication did not match Punxsutawney Phil's prediction this year. Phil's prognostication took place at Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, which is about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

According to folklore, if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day—as Phil predicted this year—there will be six more weeks of winter, but if it doesn't, spring will come early. Phil has been in the early spring prediction business for more than 130 years, while Willie has been at this for more than 30 years.

Woodstock Willie's prediction takes part during Woodstock Groundhog Days. The festival commemorates the filming of the movie "Groundhog Day," which took place in 1993 and included many scenes in Woodstock.

More information on the festival and Woodstock Willie can be found here.