One of last year’s most popular badges was the Groundhog Day badge sponsored by VisitPA. In a single day, it was unlocked by 27,846 users, more than any other partner badge at the time.
Foursquare badge fans are in luck, because it’s coming back for 2012 to celebrate that most Pennsylvanian of holidays.
To unlock the badge, you’ll need to follow VisitPA on foursquare. On Groundhog Day (February 2; Pennsylvania time, of course), check in anywhere in the world and include the word “groundhog” in your shout. The unlock text reads:
If Punxsutawney Phil could thank you for checking in with PA this Groundhog Day, he surely would. Alas, he is tied up with his annual prognosticating responsibilities. Go to visitPA.com to see if he caught a glimpse of that infamous shadow.
This is visitPA’s sixth foursquare badge. In addition to last year’s Groundhog Day badge, they sponsored the PA Shooflyer, PA Retail Polka and PA 4 Score & 7 badges. Those were retired in September and replaced with the Lock & Keystone badge.
The badges that require checking in around Pennsylvania are certainly fun to earn, but the Groundhog Day badges are especially great because they’re available worldwide. Everyone in the world gets a chance to think about Pennsylvania — and visiting there — for one day, which is of even bigger importance to the Pennsylvania tourism folks than getting people who are already in Pennsylvania to earn the badge. Groundhog Day is such a unique event — and such a uniquely Pennsylvanian one — that it makes a perfect partnership.
