A group of residents of the Meadows Apartments in Emmaus and their friends spent Feb. 20 observing Hoodie Hoo Day. This year’s activities were expanded to include several surprises.

“Hoodie Hoo,” which occurs one month before the official start of spring, is a tongue in cheek celebration intended to drive away winter and lift the spirits.

Like “Jingle Bells,” “America the Beautiful” and “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” songs long associated with seasonal celebrations, the “Hoodie Hoo Marching Song” has become the holiday’s newly adopted anthem.

As required, participants don their highly decorated hats, scarves, necklaces and other bright paraphernalia to carry out the ritual of winter removal.

As well as a new song, the ringing of bells, playing of kazoos and banging of drums and pots accompany the brief march which culminates at exactly noon. Participants then reach to the sky and shout, “Hoodie Hoo, Hoodie Hoo, Hoodie Hoo.”

Winter, flummoxed by the display, departs.

In addition to good company and a good time, this year’s participants received a Doc Zog designed commemorative coin.

Happy Hoodie Hoo and a glorious spring to one and all!

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