Groundhog 2026 saw temperatures below freezing, in the 20’s and 30’s℉, after the ice storm of the previous week. Classes were cancelled Monday to Wednesday 1/26-28, but the ice on campus did not melt completely. As temperatures rose above freezing during the day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, they sank below freezing at night, causing the ice to freeze over again. On Saturday, Jan. 31, temperatures remained below freezing most of the day, with a high of 34℉. During the Party in the Park, temperatures remained in the low 20’s℉.
With such cold temperatures, attendees tried to stay warm by wearing extra layers, hats, scarves and gloves, and taking advantage of the bonfires in the park.
Student band Mall Culture began their set at 8pm, and played until 8:45. Said junior Mally Holleman, vocalist for the band: “Layering up and trying to jump around a lot before we started and moving during the performance definitely helped [us stay warm], but I’m pretty sure none of us were actually warm up there. Fingers and toes were pretty numb by the end which made holding the mic more tricky.”
The freezing temperatures also affected Holleman’s voice during the performance. Said Holleman: “The cold definitely made me less flexible vocally, as far as reaching different notes, but I felt it most in my face as it was more difficult to move my mouth and have expression up there.”
Despite perceived limitations, Mall Culture had a successful performance.
Said Holleman: “The crowd was incredible and so energetic that we fed off of their warmth and really enjoyed ourselves. [It was a] 10/10 experience, and I think the cold made it more exciting!”
Said junior English/theology major Julia Morris: “Every single one of the bands absolutely killed it. The mosh pit towards the end did keep all of us warm.”