Shadowless Woodstock Willie predicts early spring

Relief will come early for a Midwest plagued by record-low temperatures, snow-filled driveways and frozen windshield washer fluid.

Woodstock Willie, perhaps Woodstock's best-known resident, did not see his shadow this morning, auguring an early spring and starting a day of celebration in the seat of McHenry County government.

Thirteen years after Woodstock launched the Groundhog Days festival to mark the filming of Harold Ramis' "Groundhog Day," Willie emerged from his tree stump at 7:07 a.m. and spoke Groundhogese to Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager.

"The groundhog whispers into my ear, then I have to convene with the Inner Circle, and collectively the Inner Circle interprets the prognostication, which this year was very positive," Sager said.

The Woodstock mayor translated for the crowd.

"I definitely did not see my shadow," he said, "so it looks like an early spring for us."

The positive prognostication was met with cheers and whistles from a crowd of about 500 in Historic Woodstock Square, where many of the exteriors in "Groundhog Day" were shot.

Sager pointed out spots in and around the square - the tavern where Bill Murray had a drink, the Woodstock Opera House tower he jumped from - as he explained the inner workings of what has become a local tradition.

Today is the second day of the festival, which began Friday night with the lighting of the groundhog at the opera house. The festival continues Sunday with walking tours of the sites featured in the movie.

It was the Altmans' first time at the festival, and the McHenry family was satisfied with Willie's forecast.

"I want it to be summer," 8-year-old Hannah Altman said.

Hannah and her family said their visit to Woodstock would be the first of many.

"We like the square, and we like the way it's laid out," said Thomas Altman, Hannah's father. "Now we have a reason to see it."

Before and after Willie emerged, the crowd sang popular songs with the lyrics adapted to the occasion, including "Take Me Out to the Tree Stub" and "Willie's Wonderland," accompanied by a three-man polka band in shorts and Bavarian hats.

Bob Hudgins, location manager for "Groundhog Day," thanked the McHenry County city for its hospitality.

"A lot of really wonderful people made this happen here," Hugdins said. "('Groundhog Day' director) Harold Ramis was just mesmerized by Woodstock."

Locals who were given hope by Woodstock Willie might want to ignore the prognostication of his more famous cousin, Punxsutawney Phil.

The central Pennsylvania rodent saw his shadow, meaning - depending on which groundhog you believe - six more weeks of winter.