VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum presents a Groundhog Day Celebration at The Weather Museum, Thursday, February 2.

Will there be six more weeks of winter in Texas or is spring coming early this year? Folks are encouraged to come to The Weather Museum on Groundhog Day to find out! Alamo the Texas Longhorn (pictured) will look for his shadow and help The Weather Museum’s meteorologists with the official forecast. Visitors will have a chance to take pictures with Alamo and participate in fun Groundhog Day related activities throughout The Weather Museum.

Later in the evening, the Museum will host its 4th Annual Groundhog Day Gala at the Hotel ZaZa. The evening program includes a cocktail reception, seated dinner, silent auction, raffle and annual awards for Weather Heroes. The Weather Hero Awards are given to individuals or groups who have demonstrated heroic qualities in the education of others in the fields of science or math, volunteer efforts in the meteorological community or assistance to others during a weather crisis.

In addition, since 2011 was host to a large number of severe weather events, The Weather Museum will also recognize a handful of groups or organizations who played an important role during or after some of this year’s major weather events, including Hurricane Irene, the Mississippi River / Tennessee floods, Texas wildfires and numerous tornado outbreaks, presenting them with a special community weather recognition award.