[6:00]

“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cold out there today. It’s cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach? Not hardly. And you know, you can expect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh, that blizzard thing. That blizzard thing? That blizzard thing. Oh, well, here’s the report! The National Weather Service is calling for a ‘big blizzard thing!’ Yes, they are. But you know, there’s another reason why today is especially exciting. Especially cold! Especially cold, okay, but the big question on everybody’s lips…On their chapped lips…On their chapped lips, right. Do you think Phil is gonna come out and see his shadow? Punxsutawney Phil! That’s right, woodchuck chuckers—it’s…GROUNDHOG DAY!”

Again!

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“The Walking Tour of Film Sites is excellent because of Bob Hudgins, Location Manager. He knows everything about what happened behind the scenes. I really like seeing all the locations right after seeing the movie. Everything is fresh. It’s like being part of the movie!”

It wasn’t actually Groundhog Day. This day was the fourth of February. But Groundhog Days in Woodstock, Illinois were continuing through this weekend. This year marked the 30th anniversary of “Groundhog Day” the movie. Bill Hudgins, Location Manager for the movie, among other achievements, would lead the Walking Tour of Film Sites. Joining him today would be Rick LeFevour, Stunt Coordinator for this film, along with other credits, at the introduction to the tour.

Joining Lisa and me was Scott, film buff with a black belt made of a film strip. One of our favorite movies is “Groundhog Day,” and this time we get to relive(!) our visit to Woodstock for this event. Our first visit was in 2015, when the Woodstock Theatre’s auditorium was restored and officially dedicated to the late Harold Ramis, Director.

With all this being so official on such an anniversary, we were hoping to catch a glimpse of a star or maybe someone falling from a tree. The names and faces may have changed, but at historic downtown Woodstock Square, time stands still. Or it moves forward 24 hours through a certain day, then repeats itself. And we were repeating ourselves.

“Bing!”

“This is the most complete movie location I have ever seen. It’s almost a time capsule from 30 years ago!”

The first stop was a must see. Woodstock Theatre was screening “Groundhog Day” in the same theater where Phil Connors (Bill Murray) and crew drive past in their white work van. If that wasn’t a trip, Woodstock Square appeared much like we walked past it on our way to the show. Watching the movie was refreshing to see on the big screen, and it was a refresher of all the upcoming movie locations. Most of them were situated in and around Woodstock Square. A few were scattered just a few blocks away from the historic area.

Fifteen stops were scheduled on the Walking Tour. Despite the typical early February chill, somewhere between 200 to 250 fans gathered in front of the Opera House. In 2015, we enjoyed a smaller tour group led by Bob Hudgins, Location Manager. This time he was joined for the start by Rick LeFevour, Stunt Coordinator. He said that he was the one everyone watches plummeting from the Opera House tower. And it was him driving that truck into the quarry. He didn’t get to relive every moment with Bill Murray as his stunt double, but he did shadow him.

As we walked through Woodstock Square, Bob Hudgins pointed out ordinary areas of the square that were transformed into Gobbler’s Knob or the scene with the snowball fight or ice sculpture carving. Every foot of this square was turned into movie footage. The gazebo where Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell danced in the movie was where Bob Hudgins stood and pointed out movie landmarks, and fielded questions. His energy and enthusiasm must have been as strong as they were during filming. His passion for scouting locations and being the peacekeeper of logistical mediation was obvious by his stories. This was our second tour, but it was packed full of information learned for the first time.

“Woodstock Square is a living set of the movie. It’s a location that doesn’t disappoint because it hasn’t changed much since the movie came out 30 years ago. Walking around the square gives me a magical feeling like I’m in the movie. When you can sit in the theater and watch the movie showing the theater that you’re actually in is amazing!”

After the Walking Tour, we strolled through and around Woodstock Square for our own sightseeing. All stops were a must see that nobody could miss. After the refresher at Woodstock Theatre, and the Walking Tour of Film Sites, we were ready to smash this alarm clock.

Of course, this is not the way forward. That would be selfish, and one could say that “Groundhog Day” is about selflessness.

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) said it best:
“Whatever happens tomorrow, or for the rest of my life, I’m happy now…because I love you.”

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