Julie Davis
jdavis@cherryroad.com
The 37th annual Groundhog Day Celebration is set to take over beautiful downtown Unadilla (and other parts of the village) beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 1).
Commemorative Groundhog Day T-shirt sales will commence at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Nitty Gritty Gas and Thrift, adjacent to Highway 2.
MK Meats, 458 H St., will give away a free can of SPAM (the official meat of Groundhog Day) with any $50 purchase from 8 a.m. to noon while SPAM supplies last.
About 20 vendors will be offering their wares for sale as Groundhog Vendors in the Community Building, 770 G St., beginning at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Veteran’s Room and Model Train display will be open starting at 9:30 a.m.
The Unadilla Library will host a reception for long-time library supporter Peggy Leefers from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The library will also host a used book sale starting at 9:30 a.m.
Unadilla Billie will be available for photos next to her parade ride, a Ford Falcon (the official car of Groundhog Day, introduced on Feb. 2, 1959) at 10 a.m. on Historic Main Street.
NinaJean Rohlfs will provide live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Duncan Building.
Soup and SPAM cooking contest entries will be accepted at noon downtown at the Duncan Building. Soup and SPAM will be available for tasting following the parade.
Lunch options include hot dogs and beverages by Scout Pack 337at the Duncan Building from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown, or the United Methodist Church, 472 F St., will serve a luncheon for a freewill donation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Entries for the annual parade will line up at Dan’s Tire Shop on the east end of Main Street at 1:30 p.m. The parade will get underway at 2 p.m.
Mal’s Bar and Grill, which is celebrating its third anniversary this weekend, will offer festive drink specials starting at 10 a.m. and food beginning at 11 a.m., along with the King and Queen coronation at 2:45 p.m.
This year’s king candidates are Carl Ashman, Rick Block, Gary Gist, Steve Kroese, and Ryan McIntosh.
This year’s Queen candidates are Bev Anderson, Teresa Cooper, Carole Lashley, Autumn Wardyn, and Bev Wilhelm.
