Preparations are underway, with the 130th Groundhog Day now less than three weeks away.

We have the latest from Phil’s Burrow.

February 2 is inching closer and the Inner Circle is getting ready for visitors on Groundhog Day.

John Griffiths says he rotates with handler Ron Plauche, stopping by the library every other day to feed Phil and Phyllis and pick up any droppings.

He says he also keeps another groundhog at home to be a friend for Phil and someone else keeps another one.

“Because we’re licensed, we can only handle a certain amount, and right now, we have a total of four groundhogs,” says Griffiths.

Griffiths — now subject of a bobblehead-doll souvenir — says he’s been involved for about 17 years now, and even opened a bar nearby named The Burrow. But the tastes of humans and famous rodents can vary.

“Kale, spinach, they love carrots and then one of their treats that we give them is granola bars,” says Griffiths.

“My dad had been involved in it a long time ago,” says Jeff Grube, an Inner Circle member who works on the website.

Members say the Inner Circle meets a couple times a month right before Groundhog Day, plus there are committee meetings.

“There’s a committee that just works on the condition of Gobbler’s Knob, getting it plowed and ready. Another committee works on the bussing. We’ll hire 30 buses this year,” says Grube.

A few prepped on Thursday afternoon for a marketing committee conference call at the club office.

As a handler, Griffiths travels to schools, events, and even a Penguins game.  He says there was one groundhog snuggled under the other one at the library.

“My favorite part is actually meeting all the people that come in for the event from different parts of the country,” says Griffiths.

The Inner Circle of 15 is all men.

“There’s women that come up occasionally for a for possible membership and I’m sure we will have women some day soon,” says Grube.

One woman who’s key to organizing the Saturday Breakfast with Phil, magicians, talent show, and everything else is the Groundhog Club’s executive director Katie Donald. This year, she’s not expecting any record crowds.

“Groundhog Day falls on a Tuesday this year. That is obviously February 2nd. And usually the crowds are smaller on a weekday than they are on a weekend,” says Donald.

The program booklet is now ready with all the events that will be going on, including the Saturday and Sunday before the Tuesday Groundhog Day.