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Grady the Groundhog, animal ambassador for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, will be making his annual winter prediction at noon on Sunday, February 2 behind the Old Rock Café in Chimney Rock Village, next to the park entrance. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting, the public is invited to a free wildlife program to learn quirky things about groundhogs and the Groundhog Day tradition and participate in kids’ crafts.
Around noon Grady the Groundhog will awaken from his winter slumber to see if his shadow appears, which would signal six more weeks of winter. But if there’s no shadow, then spring should be around the corner. Grady outwitted Punxsutawney Phil to predict the weather correctly last year, and Park staff are anticipating another accurate prediction.
“Grady has been resting up and feasting on sweet potatoes, his favorite snack, to get ready for his big day. He’s under a lot of pressure now to give an accurate winter prediction two years in a row. I think it’s gotten to him because he gained a lot of weight going into the winter… but he’ll be ready,” said Matt Popowski, PR & Events Manager at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.
Cast your vote whether or not you think Grady will see his shadow at chimneyrockpark.com. Then attend the event or check back on the Park’s website or Grady the Groundhog’s Facebook page on February 2 to see if you guessed correctly.
During February, Grady’s Kids Club memberships are on sale for only $8. For less than 45¢ a month, kids ages 5-15 get unlimited visits to the Park for 18 months, discounts on Park dining, retail and friends’ admission and additional savings at favorite area attractions. Buy your kid’s pass online, or call 800-277-9611.
Adjacent to the Great Woodland Adventure, a popular TRACK Trail for kids, is Grady’s Animal Discovery Den. It’s home to Grady the Groundhog, an opossum and several other live animal habitats for reptiles and amphibians. These critters are stars in some of the park’s education programs for schools, home-schoolers and scouts. Grady’s Den also features hands-on, kid-friendly displays of furs and skulls from native animals, including deer, skunks and turtles.
The official Groundhog Day can be traced back to 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pa. For more information on Chimney Rock’s hands-on education programs for schools, home-schoolers and scouts, as well as summer camps, visit chimneyrockpark.com/education.
Chimney Rock is located only 45 minutes southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A. For current park hours and rates, call 800-277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com.
