The Inner Circle in Punxsutawney, Pa., retrieves groundhog Phil for his annual weather forecast, preserving a decades-old tradition.

Every year, a secretive group of 15 men known as the Inner Circle gathers in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to retrieve groundhog Punxsutawney Phil from his burrow for his annual Groundhog Day weather prediction. The group, formed in the 1880s, organizes the event, cares for Phil, and preserves the tradition through rituals, a Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, and distinct titles. While their personal details remain private, they travel internationally to promote the celebration, maintaining the cultural significance of the world’s most famous groundhog meteorologist.