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While Woodstock Willie is getting ready to emerge from hibernation and give us the forecast the morning of Feb. 2, people in town can get their hands on groundhog-themed swag.
The Woodstock Groundhog Days website has a list of retailers offering groundhog memorabilia, which is new this year. There’s also a list with some restaurant suggestions around town.
Groundhog Days chair Rick Bellairs said the merchandise is all unique to each store.
[ Photos: See more Groundhog Day merchandise for sale locally ]
Over at Down2Earth, a handmade goods and metaphysical store on the Square, people can find a variety of leather items, including Woodstock Willie belt buckles, which could complement a “Groundhog Day” belt, a groundhog-themed keychain and some slap bracelets.
Owner Nina Huffman said people have been excited to see the products. She said she’s seen a little bit of an uptick in business but is expecting it to pick up in a week or two.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Huffman said of the Groundhog Days festivities.
At Read Between the Lynes bookshop, which will host a meet-and-greet with “Groundhog Day” actor Stephen Tobolowsky on Feb. 1, people can find all sorts of groundhog memorabilia ahead of the weekend.
The store is carrying groundhog puppets, hoodies, hot sauce and mugs, among other themed goodies.
The bookstore also has a new addition to its bookshelves in honor of Groundhog Day. Naperville-based Sourcebooks added a new book to its “How to Catch” series: “How to Catch a Groundhog.”
The publisher also will send staff to help on Groundhog Day, owner Arlene Lynes said. She said she suggested the idea for the book, which was released last month, according to the Sourcebooks website.
“I’m so excited” they took the idea and published it, Lynes said.
At Artisans on Main, people can find groundhog-themed creative goods, including mugs, coasters, magnets and even shot glasses – perfect for the annual “Drink to World Peace.”
Deanne Ferguson at Artisans on Main is making some Woodstock-themed mugs and shot glasses.
“I just like tiny things,” Ferguson said.
She also makes Woodstock-themed ornaments and magnets. Ferguson grew up in Woodstock and recalls seeing the film being shot there in 1992.
Regina Lombardo, who has a space at Artisans on Main, made some mugs, coasters and magnets with a postcard-style design that reads “Greetings from Woodstock Illinois” and features an image of a groundhog.
The Thoughtfulness Shop offered Eras Tour-themed furry prognosticator of seasons merch last year. Despite the Eras Tour ending last month, the merch will be back this year.
Other designs for groundhog-themed clothing are a nod to the deja vu nature of the holiday or the local origins of the film.
For those who want something a little less permanent, J&G Pastries, located on Main Street, will be offering groundhog sweets, including cookies, cupcakes and cake pops.
The cookies got the attention of Woodstock Willie, the costumed mascot, last year. The mascot stopped by during the festivities to see what the cookies were all about.
Last year’s groundhog festivities kicked off with a special “Windy City Willies” temporary rebrand at a Windy City Bulls game.
This year, the Groundhog Days festivities kick off Jan. 30 with Groundhog Storytime and a Welcoming of the Groundhog, both at the Old Courthouse. New this year is a Groundhog Days 5K the morning of Feb. 1 that will take runners through town and by some of the sites in the movie. Feb. 2 features the prognostication and “Drink to World Peace.”
Here is where you can find the full schedule of events for Woodstock’s Groundhog Days: woodstockgroundhog.org. A listing of local Woodstock restaurants can be found at woodstockgroundhog.org/where-to-eat.
The listing of retailers with Groundhog Day souvenirs can be found at woodstockgroundhog.org/groundhog-day-merch. If a business has groundhog merch and wants to be added to the list, Bellairs said to call the Groundhog Days hotline at 815-334-2620.