Groundhog Day in the Park back for second year
PUNXSUTAWNEY — It won’t be as warm as the summer Festival in the Park, but it promises to be just as much fun, when the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce presents Groundhog Day in the Park for the second year.
Katie Laska, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said one of the popular events last year was having bands play on a stage in Barclay Square in the winter.
“They bring heaters, and if they don’t have them we’ll help them find them,” she said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the event will feature Killin’ Time, Whistle Pigs and the Derek Woods Band.
Thursday, Feb. 2, the Whistle Pigs and Frank Viera Band will be playing in the park.
Also part of the celebration is snow, wood and ice carvings by Eric Jones.
Laska said some new things this year are Ice Creations’ fruit carvings, watermelon and cantaloupe on Feb. 1, and Dragonfly Balloons on Feb. 2.
There will be a variety of food trucks, including Larry’s Barbeque, the Chuck Wagon, Rico’s Concessions, Simply the Best Kettle Corn and Queen Bees Sweet Sips and Dips and S’Mores by the Fire.
Laska added that there will be different artisans, craft vendors and wineries and breweries in the park with Samuel Adams, the official beer of Groundhog Day. They’ll have their big trailers in the park handing out tastings.
Wednesday, Groundhog Eve, will be the Wine, Hops, and Chocolate Walk from 4 to 7 p.m.
“There are 12 downtown businesses that will have tastings of wine and beer,” Laska said. A sweet dessert is also included with the tasting.
Check in at CNB Bank at 200 E. Mahoning St. anytime after 2 p.m. on Groundhog Eve. You must be 21. Participants will exchange their tickets for a wristband and map. There is a $100 gift basket as a door prize.
The bands start playing in Barclay Square at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and 8 a.m. until the afternoon on Thursday.
For more information about Groundhog Day in the Park, check the chamber website at punxsutawney.com.