(Above) Wilmette native Bill Murray (left in photo) battles a groundhog (right in photo) during a reenactment of a “Punxsutawney Phil” prognostication depicted in the movie that was released 31 years ago. Photos by John “Nunu” Zomot. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

6-Feb-24 – It was an event unlikely to ever repeat, eight cast members of Groundhog Day reuniting at Navy Pier to honor Harold Ramis, the Chicago native who directed and co-wrote the 1993 film.

Actor Bill Murray, who starred in the film, made what may have been a surprise appearance, joining his brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, along with Ken Hudson Campbell, Robin Duke, Marita Geraghty, Richard Henzel, David Pasquesi, and Peggy Roeder. Two cast members who could not attend, Chris Elliott and Stephen Tobolowsky, recorded tributes to Ramis.

It was the first time the cast had officially reunited since the film’s release, according to a spokesperson for Harry Caray’s Tavern, which hosted the February 2 event.

(Left) 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins (left in photo), 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly (second from right, in back), and Grant DePorter, CEO and Owner of Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group, with unidentified groundhog and handler.

The film is about a cynical television meteorologist who, while covering Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is trapped in a time loop and forced to re-live Groundhog Day every day.

Ramis died in 2014. His widow, Erica Mann Ramis, read a letter of tribute to Harold from former president Barack Obama. 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly presented a resolution that he sponsored, officially declaring every February 2 to be Harold Ramis Day. 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, and real-life television meteorologist Tom Skilling also participated in the event.