The winter holidays have come and gone and the long awaited Hoodie Hoo Day ritual has again been observed by residents of The Meadows apartment complex in Emmaus and several of their friends.

Each year, one month before the official start of spring, the festivities begin.

Participants, dressed in their Hoodie Hoo best, grab their pots, pans, bugles and drums. Marchers walk in a circle making the requisite racket. At exactly noon, they shout out three loud, unified “hoodie hoos.” Old Man Winter departs in a hurry and an early spring is once again assured.

To learn more about Hoodie Hoo Day celebrations in other communities and for suggested ways to escape cabin fever visit www.wellcat.com.