Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 135th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
โThe economic impact was really bad.โThe mayor said the community of roughly 6,000 residents swells with between 10,000 to 15,000 tourists on Groundhog Day.
AdโOn a normal Groundhog Day, there are so many festivities and the businesses and restaurants are inundated,โ the Republican said.
She said Groundhog Day typically gives local merchants a boost at a time of year when tourism is usually slow.
Groundhog Day has its origin in a German legend about a furry rodent.