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The Groundhog Day Ceremony will take place outside on the patio and is open to the public.
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Fans are invited to cut loose and celebrate the 3rd Annual Harold Ramis Day on Monday, Feb. 2nd at Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier, honoring the extraordinary life and career of one of Chicago’s most legendary comedic minds. After two years of Groundhog Day-themed celebrations, this year’s event flips the script—trading repetition for rebellion—by spotlighting Ramis’ groundbreaking 1978 comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House, while still embracing the Groundhog Day tradition that has become the heart of the annual ceremony.
This year’s celebration welcomes cast members from Animal House, led by Tim “Otter” Matheson, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Joining him are James “Hoover” Widdoes, Peter “Boon” Riegert, Mark “Neidermeyer” Metcalf, James “Greg Marmalard” Daughton, and Martha “Babs” Smith. Together, they’ll bring the heroes and villains of Faber College's Greek Row to Navy Pier—minus the risk of Double Secret Probation. Also returning is Richard Henzel, beloved by fans as the voice of the "DJ" in Groundhog Day, continuing a Harold Ramis Day tradition that bridges this year’s Animal House theme with the ceremony’s roots. When the clock strikes 3:00 p.m., we kick off a Groundhog Day x Animal House crossover that celebrates Ramis’ ability to challenge convention, push boundaries, and rewrite comedy history—often with a little chaos along the way. In a tribute worthy of a Delta, Otter (Tim Matheson) will pay homage to “the most legendary Delta of all,” Harold Ramis. He will then lead the official Groundhog Day Ceremony, during which Chicago Harry, a live groundhog, will emerge from his tree stump to reveal whether he sees his shadow—blending the irreverent energy of Animal House with the ritual and tradition of Groundhog Day in a moment that celebrates Ramis’s enduring impact on comedy and culture. 
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AN immersive Ramis-inspired experience
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Harry Caray’s Navy Pier will transform into an immersive Ramis-inspired experience, featuring themed décor, music, and menu offerings that nod to both Groundhog Day and Animal House.
Photo ops include:
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From iconic film references to artifacts from Ramis’ storied career—including the Armani coat Bill Murray wore in Groundhog Day, the bust of Harold Ramis from the 2016 version of Ghostbusters, the jumpsuits worn by Harold Ramis and Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, and several of Harold’s leather-bound shooting scripts, including Groundhog Day—the event celebrates a filmmaker who taught audiences that sometimes the best way forward is to break the rules—and occasionally smash the guitar.
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HAROLD RAMIS
A b o u t
h a r o l d r a m i s:
Born and raised in Chicago, Harold Ramis was a screenwriter, director, and actor whose work shaped modern comedy includes some of the most popular and influential comedies of our time--Animal House, Caddyshack, Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Ghostbusters, Back to School, Groundhog Day, Multiplicity, Analyze This, Bedazzled, and more. Ramis began his career at Chicago’s famed Second City before becoming one of Hollywood’s most influential comedic storytellers. His Hollywood breakthrough came in 1978 with National Lampoon’s Animal House, and over the course of his career, he received numerous accolades, including the American Comedy Award, the British Comedy Award, and a BAFTA Award for screenwriting (Groundhog Day). His films are widely celebrated, with four listed among the American Film Institute’s “100 Funniest Movies” and Groundhog Day named one of the “101 Greatest Screenplays” by the Writers Guild of America.
Harold Ramis passed away on February 24, 2014, but his legacy lives on through films that continue to entertain, inspire, and define generations of comedy fans.
Harold Ramis passed away on February 24, 2014, but his legacy lives on through films that continue to entertain, inspire, and define generations of comedy fans.
ANIMAL HOUSE (1978)
A b o u t
A N I M A L H O U S E:
National Lampoon’s Animal House is a 1978 American comedy co-written by Harold Ramis, Doug Kenney, and Chris Miller, and directed by John Landis. The film marked Ramis’s first feature as a screenwriter. Starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Karen Allen, and a breakout ensemble cast, the film follows the misadventures of the Delta Tau Chi fraternity at the fictional Faber College. A groundbreaking cultural phenomenon, Animal House redefined comedy with its irreverent humor and anarchic spirit, becoming one of the most influential and beloved comedies of all time. ]
The film earned Ramis a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Non-Musical Motion Picture, and it was selected for the National Film Registry in 2001, cementing its significance in American culture. The film launched multiple careers, shaped modern comedic storytelling, and solidified Harold Ramis’s legacy as a fearless creative voice whose work continues to resonate across generations.
The film earned Ramis a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Non-Musical Motion Picture, and it was selected for the National Film Registry in 2001, cementing its significance in American culture. The film launched multiple careers, shaped modern comedic storytelling, and solidified Harold Ramis’s legacy as a fearless creative voice whose work continues to resonate across generations.
NAVY PIER
A b o u t
n a v y p i e r:
IG: @Navypierchicago / FB: @navypierchicago
Website: Navypier.org
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.
VOLO MUSEUM & oTTER'S RED CORVETTE
A b o u t
VOLO MUSEUM:
IG: @VOLOMUSEUM / FB: @VOLOMUSEUM
Website: VOLOCARS.COM
Volo Museum is a family-owned, world-traveled tourist destination celebrating its 65th anniversary. A five-year, multi-million-dollar museum renovation has just been completed with 3 major attractions and seasonal rides sprawling over 75 acres. Volo Museum is world famous for having multiple showrooms rotating the highest quality collector classic cars, over 60 iconic vehicles from TV and movies, a military museum, carousel and world music hall, Disney gallery, and thousands of mechanical marvels ranging from vintage boats, planes, trains, tractors and campers, to animatronic shows, kiddie rides, arcades, and snow vehicles. Other attractions include a Titanic Museum, the Midwest's largest indoor animatronic dinosaur park, and one of the largest antique malls in the Midwest. Seasonal rides include enclosed trolley shows, trackless train tours, and a Disney World Double-Decker parade bus. Visit www.volofun.com for all events and information.
ABOUT THE
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The iconic car disappeared from public view for 40 years. It was located in Oregon in the shed of 70’s national drag racing champion, Paul Smith. When Paul retired from racing, he got into the movie transportation business. While working on the set of Animal House, he offered the car (a gift to his wife) to Universal Studios for 4 weeks for only $400. After the movie, the car was parked back in his shed and sat, untouched, for 40 years exactly as it was used in the movie. Even with the prop license plate and the narrow white wall tires. To sell it, Paul would only accept the six-figure payment in $100 bills, cash. That's despite the fact that he lost the keys and the car hadn't started in four decades. Museum Director, Brian Grams, worked out a deal and literally pushed it out of the shed and pushed it into Volo Museum, and eventually even got it running again. Aside from the movie car, Corvette purists will love knowing it has the factory 283-Dual Quad, 4 speed with 2 tops and a Wonderbar Radio—and still has the original paint. It has only 37k miles, and only 200 miles have been put on it since 1975! It was used in several scenes, including him pulling up to the motel and the iconic scene when Otter pulls up and throws John Belushi an entire bottle of Jack to chug.
2024 Groundhog Day Ceremony
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2025 Groundhog Day Ceremony
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