Punxsutawney Phil making trip to State College. Here’s how to snag a photo
Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog is headed to Happy Valley.
Punxsutawney Phil — the “Seer of Seers” and the “Weather Prophet Extraordinaire,” per his ceremonial title — is scheduled to make a rare visit to downtown State College on Saturday, Jan. 17, at The Press: Cider and Craft Beverage Taphouse. The groundhog will be on-hand from 2-5 p.m. there to pose with photos alongside at least one member of the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, better known as the official groundhog custodians who wear large top hats.
Photos with the groundhog will be free. And all ages will be welcome, thanks to appropriate safeguards that will be in place at the cidery on 113 Hiester St.
“Overall, everyone I’ve told about this pulls out their phones immediately so they don’t forget,” The Press co-owner Kory Blose said with a laugh. “So it’s gotten loads of positive feedback. I hope it’s a good event and parents can bring their kids and things like that, and get a selfie with the groundhog, because you can’t do that on Groundhog Day.”
Blose and The Press’ three other co-owners are all originally from Punxsutawney, and one of the co-owner’s sisters belongs to the top hat-wearing club — so the cidery boasted unique access to the Prognosticator of Prognosticators. When one co-owner raised the idea, the others immediately jumped on board.
The Press also intends to offer free, traditional Groundhog Day molasses cookies during the event. And it also plans to tap a keg of black lager appropriately named Long Winter, from Sandfly Brewing Company in Punxsutawney. (Unfortunately for beer aficionados, the freebies stop at alcohol. Pints will cost $7.)
“We’re hoping that people of age will stick around and buy a pint, but nothing’s required,” Blose added.
The Press serves as a taproom for Punxsutawney’s own Punx Cider Worx, which is owned by three of the same people who own The Press — Chase Carulli, Andrew Divelbiss and his wife, Morgan. The taproom specializes in Pennsylvania-produced drinks and craft beverages, such as selections from Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks and Clarion River Brewing.
The Press opened in October 2025, after the space sat vacant for years following the COVID-19 pandemic. It previously served as home to The Deli & Z Bar, which had shuttered by fall 2021.
Blose has lived in State College for more than 8 years and graduated from Penn State in 2007. Punxsutawney is about 75 miles west of State College.
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 5:44 AM.
