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By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“The life we’ve been living has been hard,” Groundhog Days chairman Rick Bellairs said. “I hope that this year, Groundhog Day is about lighthearted fun. That is what it was all about from the beginning – families and people having fun.”

As Bellairs reflected on the everchanging schedule of events for this year’s annual Woodstock festival, which is based on the 1993 movie, he said he knew that Woodstock would celebrate safely despite the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have been working hard to work under the Tier 3 mitigation plan,” he explained. “And I believe we can all wear masks and be socially distant.”

In light of that, many of the event’s usual activities have been canceled, such as bingo and the guided walking tour of filming sites.

The annual Groundhog Day Bingo was scheduled to be moved from Blue Lotus Temple to Woodstock Moose Lodge, but then the event was canceled this week.

However, one new opportunity seeks to bring people together – distantly.

Real Woodstock and the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry have teamed up with the Groundhog Days Committee to create a video walking tour set to release this coming Friday on the Real Woodstock YouTube Channel.

“This self-guided walking tour can be watched in your own home or taken with you as you walk around the filming locations,” Real Woodstock marketing manager Melissa McMahon said, “which is great for 2021, because if you see a particular location is crowded, you can move on to the next and come back later.”

McMahon said Doug and Maggie Crane, who had led the walking tours for years, thought the concept of preserving the stories was important. The groups teamed up to record the tour stories of “Groundhog Day” locations manager Bob Hudgins, who led

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

the event last year. And they arranged for him to spend additional time on camera sharing even more stories.

Viewing the tour, recorded and edited by Woodstock resident Alberto Perez, is free and can be watched at any time.

“These are the stories behind the stories,” McMahon said. “These are the stories about our community, the stories that mean the most to Woodstock. When Bob comes, the tours are packed – he is the golden unicorn. Now these stories are available to anyone.”

Despite the obvious lack of events on the usually crowded festival schedule, a select few are filling in the spots.

Woodstock Willie will make his first appearance of the weekend at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Willie will be on the ramp in front of the Woodstock Opera House so that anyone who would want to take socially distant photos can stand in front of the railing. After that, the Groundhog Day Trivia Contest, usually at Stage Left Café, now will take place in the Opera House to help with spacing. Entry will be limited and on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Because Classic Cinemas Theatre is unable to open under the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, the “Groundhog Day” movie will not be shown this year.

“It is sad,” Bellairs said. “These are things we look forward to every year, but this year will look different – much like every other event has.”

The bags tournament still will go on at Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern, 101 E. Church St., on Saturday, Jan. 30. An outside event, the tournament will be held in the beer garden. Early registration cost is $30 for a two-person team, but the price increases to $40 on the day of the tournament. Proceeds and donations of nonperishable food items will support the Woodstock Food Pantry. Check-in will begin at 11 a.m., with play starting at noon.

Throughout the weekend, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia will be displayed on the second floor of the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St.

Woodstock Willie’s time to rise and shine will go on as usual in the park in the Square at 7 a.m. on Groundhog Day, Tuesday, Feb. 2.

“This is really what all of Groundhog Days is about,” Bellairs said. “From the beginning, Groundhog Days was a time to just have some lighthearted fun. And, it has always been about the prognostication. The holidays are over, spring is right around the corner, and everyone is on the Square.

“I continue to be excited about seeing the smiles that will undoubtedly be behind the masks and the Groundhog Days hats in the audience. It will be good to forget some of the stress of this past year and just enjoy the festivities.” See GROUNDHOG, Page 12

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Bellairs said the annual prognostication on Groundhog Day would include the usual cast of characters – the mayor, Woodstock Willie, and the polka band, but there will be no singing.

“This is an outside event,” he explained. “We know how to socially distance and wear masks, but singing doesn’t seem like a good idea. We want everyone to be safe.”

There also will be no sponsored breakfasts this year, but Bellairs said plenty of shops and restaurants should be open to fill that void. He hopes local establishments such as Double Yolk, Ethereal Confections,

MASKS ON, WOODSTOCK!

Starbucks, and others will offer warm food and drinks for people who are brave enough to weather a chilly Tuesday morning.

D.C. Cobb’s will offer two Groundhog Day-themed drinks, McMahon said, and Public House is supposed to have a Drink to World Peace on its patio, but that could not be confirmed for this story.

Groundhog Day 2021 souvenirs – including mugs, masks, and T-shirts – will be available at various locations, including the Chamber office, Read Between the Lynes, The Thoughtfulness Shop, and The Backdrop.

Though Groundhog Days looks vastly different this year, Bellairs hopes people will still come out, be safe, remember this day for years to

Jeremy Nowman, Ken Kohley, and Kelsey Bechtel of Blue Ribbon Millwork are “masked up” to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The Independent wants you to join your neighbors by sending in a photo of members of your family, club, office, or other group wearing your masks. Please email it to woodstock4all@thewoodstockindependent.com. We’re all in this together, Woodstock. SHOW OFF YOUR MASKS!

HOW TO REGISTER Online • Walk-In 820 Lake Avenue, Woodstock 815.338.4363 www.woodstockrecreationdepartment.com

City of Woodstock Resident Registration begins MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 AT 9:00 am Non-Resident Registration begins THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 AT 9:00 am