Before Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney locals get hyped for the hoopla

Students dance to the “YMCA” while carrying a giant cardboard head of Jason “Big Chill” Grusky, teacher and a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, inside Punxsutawney Area High School during an assembly announcing Groundhog King and Queen.

Punxsutawney Phil stuffed animals sit for sale inside the gift shop at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

A.J. “Rainmaker” Dereume holds a hat-wearing Punxsutawney Phil during an assembly announcing the Groundhog King and Queen Tuesday inside Punxsutawney Area High School.

Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle wait for the start of an assembly announcing the Groundhog King and Queen inside Punxsutawney Area High School.

Student Jake Henretta is crowned Groundhog King by members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle inside Punxsutawney Area High School.

The entrance to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

A crown and flowers are seen on the chairs of the Groundhog King and Queen inside Punxsutawney Area High School during an assembly.

A statue of a groundhog wearing a toolbelt stands outside Ragley’s True Value Hardware on North Findley Street in Punxsutawney.

Butch “Iceman” Philliber, one of the longest standing members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, talks about his role at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

Dave “Thunder Conductor” Gigliotti (left) and A.J. “Rainmaker” Dereume (holding Punxsutawney Phil), both members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inncer Circle, cheer during an assembly announcing the Groundhog King and Queen inside Punxsutawney Area High School.

Visitor Al Donst wears a shirt featuring a picture of Butch “Iceman” Philliber, one of the longest standing members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inncer Circle, inside the gift shop at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

Punxsutawney Phil’s tree stump is seen on stage ahead of Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

Mike Limerick (on ladder) and son Jeremy Limerick, owners of Brody’s BBQ, add lights to their Shadow Cafe stand at Gobbler’s Knob as they prepare for Groundhog Day.

A groundhog sign hangs among athletic banners inside the gym at Punxsutawney Area High School.

A.J. Dereume, Punxsutawney Phil’s handler, and member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, checks to make sure the heat is working inside Phil’s tree stump ahead of Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawne.