Press Release
From Chimney Rock State Park:
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (February 2, 2014)—Temps were in the high 50s with warm sunshine when more than 60 people gathered behind the Old Rock Café in Chimney Rock Village for Grady’s Groundhog Day shadow sighting. Emily Walker, education manager for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park greeted the crowd eager to hear Grady’s prognostication. Chimney Rock’s Mayor Barbara Meliski stood ready to announce the official results.As Grady emerged from his den it was clear he saw his shadow, prognosticating six more weeks of winter for the southeast. In a rare occurrence of Groundhog Day landing on Super Bowl Sunday, Grady also predicted the Seahawks to win today.
Couples and families met Grady and other wild critters, including a Great Horned Owl and Red-tailed Hawk, learned about native animals from a State Park Ranger and made Groundhog Day crafts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grady is the animal ambassador for Chimney Rock State Park and a star of the park’s nature education programs. Most days visitors can meet him at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den in the park.
Chimney Rock’s inaugural Groundhog Day shadow sighting was held in 2006, and this is only the fourth year with Grady as the star of the show. Grady’s prognostication was correct last year but incorrect the two years prior. In celebration of Grady’s special day, Grady’s Kids Club memberships for the park are on sale for only $8 during February. For more about Chimney Rock, call (800) 277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.