PUNXSUTAWNEY — Despite the frigid weather conditions, the Groundhog Day celebration in Barclay. Square was put on by the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce.
Katie Laska, Punxsutawney Chamber president, said this was one of the coldest Groundhog Days ever.
“We’ve been spoiled by the nice Groundhog Days. The last couple of years brought out a lot of people, and I was shocked this one brought out a lot of people,’ Laska said, adding that it was nice in the park, as they had their fire pits going and live music as people came out and enjoyed themselves.
Laska said that they tried something new, as they had their first-ever polar plunge, which was a success and they will do it again next year.
She said it was held below the East End Bridge across from the Central Firehall.
“The chamber and the Elk Run Fire Company sponsored the event and the other fire companies came out and helped,” Laska said. “There was a nice turnout; a good group of people participated and said they were going to come back next year.”
Laska said that the borough plowed snow into the park so they could have their first snow carving.
“For the first time we had a snow carver, Eric Jones, and we made a sled riding hill for the kids,” she said, adding that Mike Johnston donated 10 sleds.