Holtsville Hal and Malverne Mel, Long Island’s two most famous groundhogs, are scheduled to make their annual Groundhog Day predictions on Thursday, when a third furry prognosticator makes a comeback in Quogue.
Hal and Mel will make their predictions early on the morning of Feb. 2 while the woodchuck formerly known as Quogue Quigley and now going by his real name, Sam Champion — yes, he’s named for the weatherman — returns to Quogue Library for a Thursday afternoon after-school program. Quogue’s event was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our annual Groundhog Day celebration is an enjoyable tradition for many local families,” said Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro, who leads the Holtsville event.
Long Island’s three groundhogs are among six statewide and about 150 across the nation to offer predictions in the tradition of Punxsutawney Phil, the original Groundhog Day forecaster. According to lore, if the groundhog sees its shadow, that means six more weeks of wintry weather, but if it doesn’t, spring-like weather is on the way.
Here is where to see the Island’s three whistle pigs.
HOLTSVILLE HAL
In addition to groundhog-related festivities, event goers can enjoy hot chocolate and visit dozens of other animals at the preserve he calls home, including the lynx that was found roaming the streets of Islip last year. Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve, 249 Buckley Rd., Holtsville, facebook.com/brookhavenwildlifecenter 7 a.m. Feb. 2.
MALVERNE MEL
Nassau County’s lone groundhog will reveal his forecast to the Malverne village mayor during this annual event at the closest organic farm to New York City. Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s, 480 Hempstead Ave., Malverne, malvernevillage.org 7 a.m. Feb. 2.
UPDATE: Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel Differ on Groundhog Day 2023 Predictions
ALLEN MCBUTTERPANTS
This new groundhog is making his debut on the East End for 2023. Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, 228 W Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays,wildliferescuecenter.org 10 a.m. Feb. 2
SAM CHAMPION
Quogue’s groundhog is back after taking last year off, but he no longer goes by the name Quigley. He’s now known as Sam Champion, like the famous weatherman. Participants can also make crafts, enjoy treats and watch a screening of the movie Groundhog Day. Quogue Library, 90 Quogue St., Quogue, quogue.librarycalendar.com 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 2
