Festivities kicked off Thursday in Punxsutawney leading up to Groundhog Day.

On Thursday, the Gobbler's Knob talent competition was held at the community center in town.

This year's competition featured eleven contestants from Jefferson County, and from as far away as Australia.

Miss Pennsylvania 2023 -- Miranda Moore -- is one of the guest judges for the competition.

She says this is the first time she's been part of judging someone else's talent, as she's usually the one being judged.

"We actually have a talent competition with Miss Pennsylvania, and I play the clarinet, so I always feel like it's cool to see other people with other talents. As an instrumentalist, I love seeing singers, dancers, all different types of talents, so I think I’m going to love being a judge, I think it will be a lot of fun."

The two finalists from Thursday's competition move on to the finals on Friday morning at Gobbler's Knob.

The winner will be chosen by the thousands of people in attendance, and will take home a $500 prize.

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