*This story produced with contribution from the Associated Press.

HOLLYWOOD, FL & PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA (352today.com) — People who are equal parts brave and crazy hit the beach in Hollywood early Friday morning before taking a plunge into the Atlantic Ocean at the same time Pennsylvania’s weather forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil was predicting the end of winter.

Hundreds turned out in swimsuits and costumes in 60-degree weather for the 20th Annual Groundhog Day event on Hollywood Beach. It’s a tradition where revelers celebrate hope for an early spring.

A local version of Punxsutawney Phil stands amidst people gathering before dawn at the Blue Wave Gastropub. Courtesy: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
Hollywood’s version of Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted “six more weeks of tourism” for the area. Courtesy: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
Christina Lusk of Fort Lauderdale adjusts her wet hotdog costume as she emerges from the ocean during a Groundhog Day celebration in Hollywood, FL. Courtesy: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
A local version of Punxsutawney Phil jokes around in front of police as people gather at dawn to celebrate Groundhog Day. Courtesy: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Before sprinting into the surf which was around 76 degrees, many enjoyed a hearty breakfast from the Blue Wave Gastropub on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

Participants make a $15 donation to take part in the Groundhog Day Swim. The proceeds benefit the Hollywood Beach Lifeguard Competition Team and the Hollywood Lions Club Scholarship Fund.

|WEEKEND WEATHER: Enjoy Saturday’s weather. Sunday will be stormy

Meanwhile, more than 1200 miles away Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring Friday at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania, the scene of the largest and best-known Groundhog Day celebration in the United States.

Just after sunrise Friday, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced Phil did not see his shadow, which will usher in early springlike weather. The groundhog seeing his shadow indicates six more weeks of winter, according to the group.

Hollywood’s early morning beachgoers watched his prognostication via live stream.

Phil predicts more winter far more often than he sees an early spring, not a bad bet for February and March in western Pennsylvania. A federal agency took a look at his record last year and put his accuracy rate at about 40%.

The tradition of celebrating the midpoint between the shortest day of the year on the winter solstice and the spring equinox goes back many centuries in European farm life.

The crowd watches the festivities while waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to come out and make his prediction. Courtesy: AP Photo/Barry Reeger
Phil’s handlers said the groundhog forecast an early spring. Courtesy: AP Photo/Barry Reeger

The Associated Press contributed to this story.