Wednesday, February 2, 2011

When Others Celebrate Groundhog Day - Texans Celebrate Armadillo Day!

After many years of watching Pennsylvanians and Punxsutawney Phil take it upon themselves to predict spring for all Americans and with Texans being quite independent and having a mind on their own they thought... it was time for Texas to make its own predictions.

In 2007, The West Pole as established to be the destination of Texas' prediction for spring. The West Pole is near the 98th Meridian in the City of Bee Cave (10 miles west of Austin). So every February 2 (Groundhog Day for the masses) is recognized as Armadillo Day by the 80th Texas Legislature in Texas.

Each year the ceremony is conducted by the Fraternal Order of the Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon - consulted by the state mammal of Texas - the Armadillo, known as Bee Cave Bob and is officiated by The Lone Star Weatherological Society. To find out more details visit The West Pole - Armadillo Day to find out more details about the event.



Photo courtesy of Jay Janner/Austin American Statesman includes famed armadillo artist Jim Franklin (left), Bee Cave Bob (middle) and Texas singer and songwriter Gary P. Nunn (right) taken at the first Armadillo Day in 2010


With the arctic blast still looming in the area and no sunlight for miles what will Bee Cave Bob predict for 2011 and will he even emerge from his burrow?

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