Buckeye Chuck for Groundhog Day

What Do You Need to Know About Buckeye Chuck for Groundhog Day?

Are you visiting Central Ohio around the beginning of February? If so, then there’s an event you cannot miss. Buckeye Chuck for Groundhog Day is as unusual of a celebration as it is fun. Join the locals and visitors in Marion, OH, to see if the famous animal makes an appearance, and enjoy a fun day eating delicious treats and drinking hot beverages! Read on to learn more and start planning your visit today. 

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Make the Most of Your Experience of Buckeye Chuck for Groundhog Day

Who is Buckeye Chuck?

You may be familiar with Groundhog Day but probably not with Buckeye Chuck. Let us introduce you to him. Here in Central Ohio, and particularly in the town of Marion, he’s been a local celebrity for the past 40 years. It all started back in the 1970s when radio host Charlie Evers started spotting the animal outside of his window on February 2nd of every year. Listeners started taking an interest in the groundhog story and even had a contest to officially name him. That’s how Buckeye Chuck was born, and, in 1979, he was named Ohio’s official weather-predicting groundhog. Legend has it that if you see Buckeye Chuck’s shadow on February 2nd, then spring is due six weeks early that year. If not, it will come six weeks later!

Note: Buckeye Chuck also has a Pennsylvania cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, who’s been predicting the weather there for over a century!

What Happens on Groundhog Day?

Although it started as a radio station tradition, the celebration of Buckeye Chuck on Groundhog Day soon took over the whole town of Marion. People gathered by the hundreds to try and spot the animal’s shadow on February 2nd. To this day, people from all over the world join the locals for it! The festivities kick off right after the morning news broadcast at iHeartMedia, where sandwiches are served with hot chocolate to keep the faithful attendees warm while waiting for Buckeye Chuck to show up. There’s even a contest to see which person is visiting from the farthest!

Stay in the Best B&B in Central Ohio 

View of the living room in the Napoleon Suite | Fun things to do in Ohio for couplesNow that you know all about Buckeye Chuck and Groundhog Day in Marion, OH, it’s time you find yourself the perfect place to stay nearby. HideAway Country Inn is one of the top B&Bs in the area and located only 20 minutes away from downtown Marion! You’ll love our scenic and peaceful location in the countryside as well as our selection of accommodations. Take a look at our Napoleon Loft Suite, for example. It’s the ideal love nest for couples looking to rekindle their romance and unwind. Enjoy the charming French Empire atmosphere with the suite’s lovely decor. Cuddle up by the fireplace with a good book and a glass of wine, hop in the in-room hot tub with your significant other (and a bottle of bubbly maybe?), and dream the night away on the plush bed upstairs. The suite also includes satellite TV, a personal refrigerator, a shared porch with rocking chairs, and even a coffee maker to help you rise and shine in the morning. Did we mention the suite comes with a delicious, two-course breakfast every morning? It’s so mouthwatering you’ll wish it were morning all day long.

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