Groundhog Day is Feb. 2, and North Texas residents can observe the tradition through local events and regional gatherings.
Groundhog Day is a seasonal tradition that traces its origins to European folklore, according to the National Weather Service.
Around the fifth century, Celtic communities believed animals held special powers on days that fell between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Folklore from Germany and France later held that animals such as marmots and bears would retreat back into their dens if they saw their shadow, signaling several more weeks of winter.
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The belief was later adopted by the Romans as Hedgehog Day and eventually became associated with the Christian observance of Candlemas, according to the National Weather Service.
The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day dates to 1841 in Pennsylvania, according to historical records from the Historical Society of Berks County.
In North Texas, a Groundhog Day event is planned at Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Feb. 2, with activities including crafts and photos with the park’s groundhog mascot, Kaleidoscope Karla, according to the city’s tourism website.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will have an event as well, featuring “Arboretum Annie” at A Tasteful Place. The program starts around 7:15 am to coincide with sunrise, offering free hot coffee, a hat contest, and photos with the groundhog until 8:30 a.m., according to the Dallas Arboretum website.