'Newtown Ned' To Debut At Groundhog Day Event On State Street

NEWTOWN, PA — Newtown Ned — Newtown's response to Punxsutawney Phil — will be the star during a special event Sunday in Newtown to raise money and food for local pantries.

A portion of S. State Street will be closed in celebration of the event, which in addition to the "groundhog" will include raffles, music, giveaways and more.

The purpose of the event is to raise food and money for local food pantries in Newtown, organizer Matthew Arlen said. Arlen, an owner and manager at Ned's Cigar Shop, is one of the founders of the Ned Maher Society. The group organizes philanthropic efforts throughout Newtown Borough in support of various causes.

"The whole idea was to have fun and raise money, and get donations for the local food banks," Arlen said. "It’s about giving back to the community."

The Groundhog Day celebration in Newtown will begin at 10:30 a.m., when a disc jokey will play music. Guests should bring non-perishable food donations for the local food banks at the Newtown Presbyterian Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. There will be boxes in the event area for food donations.

Various State Street businesses have donated items to raffle. Some will be offering giveaways, as well.

Raffle tickets will be for sale. All proceeds from the raffles will go directly to the food banks.

Newtown Ned will make his debut at noon. (Hint: Newtown Ned is not a real groundhog.)

District Judge Mick Petrucci will be at the event to do the swearing in of the keepers of the groundhog. Newtown Borough Mayor Charles Swartz will read a proclamation.

Newtown Ned is expected to predict not only the weather but the winner of the Super Bowl, Arlen said. After Newtown Ned makes his predictions, the winners of the raffles will be announced.

All nonperishable food will be accepted and distributed directly to the local food banks, Arlen said.

The section of State Street by the cigar shop will be closed until about 2 p.m., according to Arlen.

Here is the Mayor's proclamation:

Office of the Mayor
Borough of Newtown, PA
A Proclamation
Hear ye Hear ye! Good folk of the Borough of Newtown, Pennsylvania and all present.
Be it proclaimed that this date, 02 02 2020, be a special day in honor of our very own Newtown Ned!
The groundhog central planning committee has worked feverishly to make this a celebration of great proportions of fun and frivolity!
Whereas on this day, 02 02 2020...a truly auspicious occasion, we hereby decree that Newtown Ned shall hereby be the THIRD most famous groundhog residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!
Whereas on this day, 02 02 2020...Mayor Corky Schwartz, William Smith and Paul Salvatore shall be named Keepers of Newtown Ned and have been sworn in by the Honorable Michael Petrucci.
Whereas the story of the holiday tradition declares that if the groundhog emerges early February 2nd and sees his shadow...we will have 6 more weeks of winter weather. Should he not see his shadow...we will have an early spring.
Whereas on this day, 02 02 2020...our very own Newtown Ned will emerge from his glorious tree stump and, not only will he prognosticate the weather...but he ALSO will predict the winner of this year's Super Bowl! Take THAT Punxatawny Phil!
Whereas on this day, 02 02 2020...the Ned Maher Society will be collecting donations to help area food pantries located in the great historic Borough of Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Now, therefore, I, Corky Schwartz, Mayor of the great historic Borough of Newtown, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NEWTOWN NED as the THIRD most famous groundhog residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, unequivocally, number one in our hearts!
I do hereby urge all citizens to take due note of this designation.