With no groundhogs, Alaska to celebrate its first Marmot Day, minus winter forecasts
By APMonday, February 1, 2010
Without groundhogs, Alaska to celebrate Marmot Day
JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska now has its own version of Groundhog Day.
Then-Gov. Sarah Palin signed a bill last year to make every Feb. 2 Marmot Day in Alaska.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Linda Menard, a Wasilla Republican.
Because groundhogs are not common in Alaska, Menard says it made sense for the marmot to become Alaska’s version of Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog famed for his winter weather forecasts.
Menard’s bill didn’t give marmots any weather forecasting duties, but she hopes the state will create educational activities around the animal.
Information from: Juneau Empire, www.juneauempire.com
Filed under: Odd News
Tags: Alaska, Animals, Geography, Groundhog day, Juneau, Mammals, North America, Punxsutawney phil, Sarah Palin, United States
Tags: Alaska, Animals, Geography, Groundhog day, Juneau, Mammals, North America, Punxsutawney phil, Sarah Palin, United States
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