Patty Pagoda predicts six more weeks of winter at 20th annual Groundhog Day event

As the sun rose over Mount Penn on Friday morning, a crowd gathered at the historic Reading Pagoda to witness the 20th annual Patty Pagoda Groundhog Day celebration. Despite the chilly temperatures, attendees—including community leaders, media representatives, and local residents—came together to uphold the city’s unique take on the traditional weather-predicting event.

Hosted by Mike Reinert, president of Pagoda Skyline Inc. and a board member of the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda, the ceremony blended folklore with an update on efforts to preserve the city’s iconic landmark.

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“Feb. 2 is the midpoint of winter,” Reinert explained to the crowd. “It’s called Candlemas Day because, long ago, people brought their candles to church for a blessing, hoping they would last the rest of the season. The Pennsylvania Germans later introduced a groundhog into the tradition in 1887, and here we are today.”

While the Reading Pagoda remains closed for renovations, Joey Miranda, president of the Foundation for the Reading Pagoda, reassured attendees that restoration work is set to begin this month. “It should be about a two-year process, but we will keep the public updated,” he said, expressing hope that future Groundhog Day ceremonies will once again be held inside the landmark.

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Before Patty Pagoda emerged, Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, vice president of the foundation, shared a lighthearted history of the city’s beloved groundhog. According to local legend, Patty first made her home on Mount Penn after leaving Aulenbach’s Cemetery, furnishing her burrow with discarded household items left on the mountainside.

With the crowd eagerly chanting her name, Patty finally appeared to make her long-awaited prediction. As the morning sun shone down, the verdict was clear—Patty had seen her shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.

Patty’s prediction was in line with Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, who also saw his shadow earlier that morning at Gobbler’s Knob. This marks another year where both groundhogs foresee a longer winter season.

While some may have hoped for an early spring, the announcement was met with good-spirited enthusiasm. “The calendar says we have six more weeks of winter anyway,” Reinert noted, reminding the crowd that the official start of spring arrives on March 20.

With that, another year of Reading’s Groundhog Day tradition was complete. As attendees snapped photos with Patty Pagoda, organizers thanked the community for their continued support in preserving the city’s treasured landmarks.

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Jason Hugg
Jason Hugghttps://berksweekly.com
Editor and photographer at Berks Weekly.
Reading
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37 °
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