Woodstock Willie appeared – both in mascot and in animal form – in the rodent’s namesake city Thursday evening to commence the Groundhog Day festivities.
The buildup to the Willies appearances included children’s story time and some singing before the groundhogs were formally welcomed into the fold. Groundhog trivia and a groundhog paint-along event were also in Thursday’s mix.
Friday’s events include a movie memorabilia open house, a dinner dance, a showing of the eponymous movie filmed in Woodstock and a cocktail party. Saturday will include a 5K run, theater and storytelling, bags tournament, meet-and-greet with “Groundhog Day” actor Stephen Tobolowsky, a walking tour of film sites, a pub crawl and more.
The main event starts bright and early at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with the prognostication and another full day of groundhog-related events. See the entire Woodstock Groundhog Days schedule at woodstockgroundhog.org.
Also tying in to the festivities is a Friends of the Woodstock Opera House Cocktails With Willie fundraiser from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Stage Left, 125 W. Van Buren St., next to the opera house. Tickets cost $42 per person and are available at the box office or by phone at 815-338-5300. All proceeds will go toward programming and equipment for the opera house.
The event will include complimentary samples of specialty cocktails created just for the event, light refreshments, a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle.