Groundhog Day festival to be held at local zoo

By Kyle Boggs
Staff Writer

Most people get upset if their roommate, or any another distraction, rudely awakens them, but today sleepy groundhogs from across the country are being forced to wake up in this fashion.

As a matter of fact, "groundhogs are suppose to hibernate well into the middle of February," said Harmon Weeks Jr., professor of Forestry and Natural Resources.

The European tradition of Groundhog Day is one where (true or not true) people get to determine how much more of the winter season they have to put up with based on whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow. If it does see its shadow, it is predicted that there will be six more weeks of winter.

In an effort to brighten an otherwise gloomy winter season, the Columbia Park Zoo in Lafayette will be hosting Groundhog Day festivities.

At 2 p.m. the groundhog and some of the zoo's prairie dogs will be woken up to take part in a shadow showdown. There will be a small contest between the two animals and may give visitors a more accurate prediction of how long winter will last.

At 2:30 local elementary school students will show off their latest and best works of art to be judged in a contest. The show is called "Faces of Spring," and the three best pieces will be displayed in City Hall.

"We'd like to do this every year," said Jennifer Dehn, the park's Friends of Columbia Park Zoo membership director.

The Friends of Columbia Park Zoo is a non-profit organization, which started in 1976. It is committed to raising funds that advocate support for the zoo. This organization has helped fund many projects, such as the Animal Outpost, Conservation Stations and the Dinosaur Dig.

Floral Designs by Adam and Eve, located at 210 North 9th St., will be selling freshly cut and planted tulips throughout the month, with a percentage of profits going to the Friends organization.

All day long today, representatives of radio station WAFK (98.7) will be walking around the zoo with someone in a groundhog costume, talking to people and giving out various prizes.

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