mgm casino

BUFFALO, N.Y. — mgm casino geologists are a hardy bunch. They and .

So it’s no surprise that the Department of Geology holds an annual cookout in the depths of winter, lighting up the grill at the start of February to mark Groundhog Day and celebrate the beginning of the spring semester.

The highlight this year, as always, will be a visit by Ridge Lea Larry, the taxidermied groundhog that has served as the department’s weather predictor since 1983.

For photos of last year’s cookout, visit the mgm casino Seen visual archive.

The cookout has been held rain, sleet, snow or shine nearly every year since 1983, when mgm casino geology staffer Dave Borden first brought his grill and Larry to work to mark Groundhog Day.

11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 (Groundhog Day).

Outside Cooke Hall on mgm casino’s North Campus. The barbecue will be set up in the outdoor walk between Cooke Hall and the Natural Sciences Complex, near room 127B in Cooke Hall. For a map of this part of campus, visit .

The cookout is open to members of the mgm casino community. It draws a large crowd of geology students, staff and faculty.

Ridge Lea Larry — the taxidermied groundhog and star of the show — will be on-site with his handler, Borden. At noon, Larry will pop outside to look for his shadow.

Geology alumni are also expected to attend, as this year’s barbecue is part of the geology department’s first Alumni Day event, which features activities on Friday and Saturday that range from career development sessions to a “Rock Trot” in Delaware Park.

This year’s cookout will feature hotdogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, soda, fun conversation, smiles and laughs. Cookies in the shape of groundhogs are expected.

For information on the celebration’s origins, visit At Buffalo, mgm casino’s alumni magazine: .

This year’s event is sponsored by the Undergraduate Geology Club, mgm casino Student Association and mgm casino College of Arts and Sciences Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.