We all have heard that Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter Tuesday during a virtual Groundhog Day event.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors were not able to make the trek up to the knob this year and the community was left without its annual economic boost. Although, according to the Associated Press, Tuesday’s livestream from Gobbler’s Knob had more than 15,000 viewers at one point. However, the community did not see the swells of tourists who spend money on lodging, food, beverages and souvenirs.
Punxsutawney Mayor Richard Alexander noted that on a normal Groundhog Day, there are so many festivities and businesses and restaurants are flooded with guests.
Katie Laska, owner of Laska’s Pizza, said no merchants have gone out of business during the pandemic and she is optimistic that visitors will return for the Chamber of Commerce festival in the park during the last week in June.
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