Unadilla is getting ready for Groundhog Day.
Unadilla became the Groundhog Capital of Nebraska in 1988 when a proclamation was signed by the Lieutenant Governor William (Bill) Nichol. Around the same time, Bob Brant, Groundhog Day committee captain tells KLIN News how the whole thing started with Unadilla Bill, the towns official mascot.
Brant says, “I went out to my garden one day and saw that the cabbage I had, that were pretty nice ones, had the hearts eaten out of the them. The next day I went out and there was some more damage and I saw a dead groundhog by one. Evidently it ate too much cabbage. I called my taxidermist buddy, Duane Hanson who said ‘I’m going to stuff that groundhog. It will be Groundhogs Day here next month.’ And that is how it started. I’ve got to live with that for my whole life seeing Bill right there but he created a good legacy.”
Bill served the community well for 33 years. Bill lived in Mal’s Bar and Grill and made the trip outside to predict the weather every February 2nd. Bill was retired last year and now lives at the Nitty Gritty Gas & Thrift Convenience Store in Unadilla where people can still see him today.
Bill will be replaced by Unadilla Billie who will make her first prediction on Wednesday.
Unadilla will hold their big annual Groundhog Day celebration on Saturday, February 5th. Commemorative Groundhog Day T-shirts and other memorabilia will be available. You can get your picture taken with Unadilla Billie on Historic Main Street. The Boy Scouts will be selling hot dogs and drinks. The 34th Annual Parade on Main Street will start at 2 p.m. featuring antique, classic, muscle cars and Ford Falcons.
Brant is hoping that everyone makes the trip to Unadilla for a great day of family fun on Saturday.