Groundhog Day celebration set for Feb. 2nd in Hope

The town of Hope will be turning again to its groundhog forecaster to determine if this cold weather is here to stay.

The town will again be holding Groundhog Day festivities on the Town Square on Feb. 2nd, featuring the groundhog Hope, a resident of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators. This is the 11th year for the festivities in the northeastern Bartholomew County community and the fourth year for Hope the groundhog to take part, after the retirement of previous groundhog Grubby.

Music will begin and the crowd will start gathering at 8 a.m. with the groundhog prognostication at 8:30 a.m. After Hope’s prediction is divined, warm drinks and snacks will be available at Willow Leaves on the north side of the Town Square.

Organizers say that the event will be held in rain, snow or freezing temperatures. It is organized by Main Street of Hope and Utopia Wildlife rehabilitators with help from Indiana Main Street and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Hope the Groundhog. Photo courtesy of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators