As we already know, Groundhog’s Day, spreads wonder and joy throughout the blistery winter season. There’s just something so magical about a weather predicting, 140 year old, groundhog that comes out of his burrow to tell us if we have 6 long weeks of winter ahead or if spring is coming early.
But how does this event come together each year in Punxsutawney? Well from the very beginning, the event has been run by a club called the Inner Circle. And if that name wasn’t already mysterious enough, they also dress to the nines every Groundhog’s Day, sporting full tuxedos and top hats. To me, it screams secret society or cult vibes and thus, I needed to know more about this “Inner Circle”.
Is it witch craft? Are they a cult? Or do they just genuinely do it for the love of the groundhog? That’s what I am here to find out.
Diving Deep
There are many myths and assumptions surrounding the inner circle. And I mean, that’s kind of valid considering it’s a group of 15 men, dawning top hats with the mysterious name “Inner Circle”. So it’s bound to give secret society vibes.
BUT apparently, it’s not actually a cult or anything like that. Part of my brain is relieved but the other part is a bit disappointed, because who wouldn’t love a groundhog themed cult?
According to the official Groundhog Day website, the Inner Circle is defined as a group of local dignitaries responsible for carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day every year. Being part of the inner circle is more than just a duty; it’s a privilege. It’s not about personal gain, the Inner Circle members are motivated by a genuine love for Groundhog’s Day, Punxsutawney Phil and the desire to preserve its traditions. There is no pay for this position. It’s all volunteer and it is quite the commitment. Membership, however, is exclusive. There are only 15 spots and once you become a member, you are a member for life so turnover is very slow.
Responsibilities
So what do they do? The Inner Circle has a long list of responsibilities, which include hosting two large events.
The first event, is obviously Groundhog’s Day. There is so much that goes into the event and it is truly a wild celebration, check out all the details here. In addition to the big event, they also hold several events the week leading up to Groundhog’s Day including the Groundhog Ball and the Groundhog Banquet. And nothing sounds more delightful than attending the Groundhog Ball. So if you ever want to impress me, getting tickets to this exclusive ball would surely do it.
The second event happens in the middle of summer, where they host the Elixir of Life Picnic. The picnic is centered around giving Phil a secret potion. This potion is made by the Inner Circle and adds seven years of longevity. And this my friends, is how there has been and will forever be only one Punxsutawney Phil.
It does however, make me wonder, if the handler has ever taken a swig of this secret potion… ya know, for good measure. The power is literally in their hands every year and it truly doesn’t help beat those cult allegations (you know, the ones that I am clearly throwing at them)…but that probably breaks the code of the inner circle. And I’m sure they have some sort of bylaws against it…right? For good measure, maybe I’ll just keep an eye on their website throughout the years just to make sure those members age…
The remaining 363 days, the inner circle is kept extremely busy. They immediately begin planning and organizing the next ceremony. I like to think of them as little groundhog-y themed elves that get right back to work the day after holiday.
Planning includes coordinating logistics managing every little detail. They also handle all media relations including interviews, press releases, and interactions with media outlets from around the world. Taking on the role of Phil’s PR team if you will.
There’s also the large portion of preserving the traditions which ensures the rituals and customs are maintained and passed down to future generations. And most importantly, above all, the Inner Circle cares for the well-being of Punxsutawney Phil (and his family) throughout the year, this includes his health, safety and comfort.
Joining the club
Interested in joining the club? Well, it’s much easier said than done. As mentioned earlier, the inner circle members are appointed for a lifetime or until they choose not to be in the club anymore. So turnover is very slow.
Many inner circle members come from a long line of family members. So for most members, joining the Inner Circle is also deeply personal and routed in family history.
Becoming part of this club is really not about formal qualifications – it’s about demonstrated dedication and long-term commitment to the organization and its traditions. Prospective members typically need to volunteer extensively, actively participate in Groundhog Day activities for many years, and earn the trust and respect of existing member.
To become a member one must prove their passion for Punxsutawney through promotion and service. The commitment to the inner circle is significant and most importantly, unpaid. Qualifications, are not specific and they look through community on who is helpful, who is community oriented and if you have some sort of asset to bring to the table.
Now if you’re curious on what they mean by “assets”, well they are practical aspects of the member themselves. The Inner Circle always wants to have a school teacher, attorney, doctor, and a contractor. Each position is important for the club to thrive. The school teacher, passes the word of Phil to the local children, the attorney if there are any legal problems that come up, a doctor in case of emergency and a contractor because they have access to manpower and equipment. And of course, they are willing to take on other occupations if the person is the right fit.
Addressing the Groundhog in the Room
So my remaining question that so obviously sticks out in my head is – why is it just a bunch of dudes? To me, this makes the club come off as even more sketchy. After some research, the Inner Circle was traditionally an all-male organization. However, in recent years, the club has opened its doors to female members. I could not find any information on when this happened but I am glad they are becoming more inclusive.
On the website, in the same area as the Inner Circle, lists a female executive director. It appears that she is not in the inner circle but just inner circle adjacent. So not definite change but progress.
In an interview, the president stated that he has four daughters and he would be so pleased if one of his daughters could be the first female in the Inner Circle. So even though, it hasn’t happened yet. There is a chance that one day we will get the first female Inner Circle member; and even better if we get 2, 3, or even 15 at one point – that would be extremely cool.
Benefits
Okay, after all this work, there has to be some benefits for the members right? Well, the members do experience the following benefits:
- A deep connection to a unique traditions
- Community leadership sharing the identity and pride of Punxsutawney.
- Recognition and respect
- Access to the the exclusive events that they hold
- And an extra special bonus if you are the president: a cane passed down from president to president that helps them speak groundhog-ese. This gives the president or the ability to understand the chirps, winks and nods that Phil gives. And now the president can add bilingual to their resume.
Overall, the Inner Circle commits to the town for the love of their traditions and the love of Phil.
I might have judged the Inner Circle a little too harshly in the beginning. It appears that the Inner Circle operates under the true magic of Groundhog’s Day and I am so very greatful that they do. It is one of my favorite holiday’s after all. And now I can conclude with an 89% certainty, that the Inner Circle is probably not a cult.
