Groundhog Festival begins Sunday
HUDSON — The Groundhog Festival will return to last year’s location on Sunday, celebrating its 56th anniversary.
Lisa Wingard, Groundhog Festival committee member, said their mission remains to provide a family-orientated summer celebration of our community and Pennsylvania’s most famous resident, Punxsutawney Phil.
“This year, for the 56th anniversary, we have a special schedule of events we hope will meet the approval of all who attend,” Wingard said.
The festival is back at last year’s location, Yoder’s Antique Mall, 14342 Rt. 36 Punxsutawney, and will run Aug. 14-20.
Some of the events on tap for the week:
Sunday:
• 12 to 2:30 p.m. — CrossOver, a southern gospel family singing group based in Mahaffey. It was at the Pennsylvania State Singing Convention in Martinsburg that CrossOver began its music ministry.
There will be a short intermission between 1 and 1:30 p.m.
• 3 to 5:30 p.m. — Dino Exhibit, a fun, educational and interactive event that is appropriate for all children.
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. — Bill Haley Jr. and the Comets With a group of five energetic crowdpleasers, Bill Haley and the Comets play many songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s while sharing the inside scoop and historical context behind them.
Monday:
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Magic Mike Inflatables, A bounce-tastic experience for all ages to enjoy will be available all day with a short intermission between noon and 1 p.m.
Inflatables are free to the kids from 10 a.m. to noon.
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Billy Heh makes his return to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Festival. Hailing from Pittsburgh, he has entertained at thousands of festivals, parties, colleges and any other type of event you can imagine. His mission is to create a fun atmosphere for kids where they can laugh and learn; create a performance where participation is encouraged; teach kids that they can be anything they want to be if they put their mind to it; and bring back the popularity of magic by combining it with theater to create a unique style of magic show.
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. — 7 Bridges, The Ultimate EAGLES Experience, a tribute to the music of the Eagles. Using no backing tracks or harmonizers, 7 Bridges faithfully recreates the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period. Every show features one hit single after another with some mighty Joe Walsh surprises sprinkled into the mix.
Tuesday:
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. — Saddle Up, a country band with a rock-like edge twist. Headlining county fairs and sharing the stage with country stars Craig Morgan, Brett Eldredge, Chris Cagle, Travis Tritt and Brad Paisley, they have become the hottest country band in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday:
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. Velveetat — Formed in 1995 in State College as a side project to play cheesy ‘80s music, a side project that evolved to
accompany a vast music selection that allowed them to perform far and wide.
Thursday:
• 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. — Sack Race/Hula Hoop Relay Race. Ages from five to 13 are welcome to participate. Registration will start at noon.
• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. — Ridiculous Nicholas Show. A goofball by heart, this family-friendly one-man circus show will have you splitting your sides laughing. He will also be strolling along in between shows.
• 7 to 9:30 p.m. — Jesse Zimmerman Band. With a show-stopping mix of country and rock music, this band is going to have the fans singing along. There will be a short intermission between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Friday:
• 12 to 1 p.m. — Kids Ninja Obstacle Course. Ages from five up to 14 are welcome to participate. Registration will start at noon.
• 2 to 4 p.m. — Touch A Truck, 517 Central St. in Rossiter.
• 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Uptown Band. The musical synergy The Uptown Band has created with audiences in their home region of the northeast and beyond continues to grow. Since 2006, they have been an award-winning premier choice as the featured act at almost 2,000 shows. There will be a short intermission between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Saturday:
• 12 to 2:30 p.m. — Kenton Stitch Band. Rising out of the dust of one of the smallest towns in southern Pennsylvania, born from the most unlikely against all odds and now promoted by Kinkade Entertainment, the Kenton Stitch Band features members from all across the northeast region who found each other searching for the same things, an awesome plan and great country music. There will be a short intermission between 1 and 1:30 p.m.
• 7 to 9:30 p.m. — Rick K Road Trip (All-Nighters). Rick K has performed in over 36 states across the U.S. Performing a unique blend of rock n’ roll from the ‘60s to the present day. Rick K Road Trip is not your typical cover band. They make sure to add their own flashy twist to many of the greatest rock n’ roll hits of all time. There will be a short intermission between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Wingard said that there are no food vendors on-site, so they invite everyone to bring their own food in coolers or picnic baskets to the festival, as well as their own chairs.
The complete Groundhog Festival schedule can be seen in today’s Spirit on Page 11.