Groundhog Festival gets new home
Annual summer festival to be held in Gaskill Twp.
GASKILL TWP. — The Punxsutawney Groundhog Festival announced that the 53rd annual event that was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic will take place June 20 through June 26.
Roger Steele, Groundhog Festival general chairman, said the event will be held at the Yoder’s Antique Mall property on Route 36 in the Village of Hudson, Gaskill Township.
Steele said they are anxious to start planning for the new year and held their committee meeting recently to begin those preparations.
“A short discussion was held over the disappointment of being denied Barclay Square for reasons not revealed,” Steele said. “COVID-19 then denied the use of the armory field, which does not have electric power to support the festival’s needs in the future.”
“Several other areas were investigated to hold the festival, but most were not acceptable,” Steele said, adding that the Yoder’s site was approved with a renewable multi-year contract.
He said the advantages of the new site include:
• The size allows for plans with space to expand in the future, which includes a large parking area plus entertainment seating area.
• On-site electric can be developed into a usable grid, and water is available.
• Food vendor space by invitation arrangement of more than 300 feet.
• Craft and other vendor spaces could exceed 250 feet.
• Exclusive use by the festival committee and alcohol-free must be maintained.
• A smokers retreat area will be designated.
•. Arrangements for all festival needs can be designated.
• Other volunteer organizations have offered their support.
“We’re excited to bring back the Groundhog Festival
after a one year hiatus,” Steele said, adding that they had discussions using the former Mapleview School building located near Porter, but that fell through when the property was sold to different owners.
Last year, the Groundhog Festival was canceled because of COVID-19, which closed down the National Guard Armory, which was the proposed site for the festival’s relocation.
The Groundhog Festival was not chosen to hold its event in Barclay Square and was given to a different group in cooperation with the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce. The Festival in the Park will be held June 27 through July 4.