The following is an observation. Nothing is for sale!

Hey Pete.
I live about 40 miles away from Punxy.
A correction. He does not see his shadow every year.
It's good marketing and great for the town. I'd sure like to be able to create something so successful.
Wouldn't you?
Larry

Larry,

You're right, he DOESN'T see his shadow every year. This year was the 15th time he hasn't seen his shadow.

However, let's take another look at this.. The above figure means that in 120 years (the whole thing started in 1887) 105 times he HAS seen his shadow.

Not good odds in my book. At any rate, seeing his shadow hasn't always been the correct answer either.

Don't remember exactly, but I think the last time he didn't see his shadow was in 1999. And, your right. This would be the type of "lock" everyone would like to have going for their town, business, etc.

Pete

Actually there are several towns in the USA that capitalize on the groundhog day hype but Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous and hardest city to spell. Does it bother me, NO. Never took much stock in it, winter in the MidWest is a good 3 months before its over from Groundhogs day.

http://www.groundhogsday.com/groundhogcentral.php