It's Groundhog Day All Over Again.

On Thursday in Punxsutawney, Pa. a groundhog called Phil will emerge from his burrow and deliver the news that about 20 to 30 thousand people have come from all around to hear. As many gather around their TV to see the groundhog's prophecy of how long winter will last, nine Buffalo State students will be there to get the news firsthand.

 "This trip is a celebration of climatology," said Professor Stephen Vermette of the geography and planning department. He said he is using this annual event as an opportunity to take some students on an educational and entertaining field trip.

One student going on the trip is Melissa Bender, a senior music and individualized studies in climatology major. She said Groundhog Day's focus on the weather and predicting it is what makes this field trip apply to the studies of the students who attend. 

According to Vermette, the tradition originated from the Pagans' and Druids' celebration of Imbolc, the halfway point between spring and winter. A snake was said to come out of the earth and test the weather. Over time this morphed into a German celebration called the Candle Mass in which a hedgehog was in the place of today's groundhog.

"The tradition came with the German immigrants to Pennsylvania, so that's why it's rooted there," Vermette said. "I think the first recorded groundhog event was in 1846."

According to groundhog.org, the official Groundhog Day website, the first official Groundhog Day celebration that happened in Punxsutawney's Gobbler's Knob was February 2nd, 1887.

Vermette said the trip will take a single day. The group will embark on the four-hour drive to Punxsutawney at about 1 p.m. When they arrive they will be able to take a look around and experience the celebration.

"There's all kinds of festivities," he said. "There's a tent in the square and a chicken cook-off and a weather museum that we visit."

Afterwards there is to be a viewing of the classic movie, Groundhog Day. Vermette said he describes the setting as being similar to a viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in that it has become quite a cult phenomenon with people reciting all the lines from the film.

The group will then hurry and get to sleep, which they will be doing right in the theater. They will be woken up at 4 a.m. and then walk the mile and a half to Gobbler's Knob.

Though she has never gone before, Samantha Thomas, a junior physical geography major, said there are to be fireworks and lots of people when they arrive.

"Around 7:00 we start getting antsy about the groundhog coming out, and at about 7:15 or so he comes out and we hear the prognostication," Vermette said. "Then we go home."

"It's something different to do and it's a way of learning that's outside the classroom," Thomas said. "You're not really going to have the opportunity to do this often."

Professor Vermette and Bender both said they agree that one of the biggest upsides to taking this trip is getting to know people and making friends.

"The people who go on this trip together seem to remain friends for the duration of the semester and even their whole college careers," Vermette said.

"It's just kind of fun and everyone knows about Groundhog Day," Bender said. "It's a great way to get to know people."

Professor Vermette said he is planning to take the trip again next year, weather permitting. Those interested can contact him for more information on the Punxsutawney trip of 2013 at vermetsj@buffalostate.edu.

Mia Summerson can be reached by email at summerson.record@live.com.