There is nothing like Groundhog Day in northwest suburban Woodstock.

Woodstock Willie made his famed appearance for the 30th time, just after 7 a.m. Sunday, in front of hundreds of people, to declare an early spring!

“When he comes out of his burrow in the morning, there’s a big cheer. It’s just so much fun,” said Woodstock Groundhog Days Chairman Rick Bellairs.

Bellairs says the positive energy coming from Woodstock’s town square was simply magical as lines of people waited to meet Woodstock Willie.

Woodstock is famously known for playing host to the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” with filming taking place throughout the area.

One of the film’s beloved actors, Stephen Tobolowsky, known for his role as insurance salesman Ned Ryerson, was the guest star at Sunday’s celebration.

“If people want to know what the power of art is, how many movies are there that after 30 years people are still trying to live the film out? It is what art can do. It can survive generations; it can survive the years,” Tobolowsky said.

People traveled from near and far for this annual commemoration.

It is a multigenerational celebration that brings communities together, all thanks to an optimistic groundhog.

For more information, visit www.woodstockgroundhog.org.