Marmot Day is a celebration of marmots, a group of large squirrel-like animals that includes groundhogs, woodchucks and ground squirrels. Even though marmots are found all over the world, from Canada to Mexico and from Russia to India, these animals don’t seem to get the attention they deserve. Marmot Day was established in 2002 to celebrate these interesting creatures.

Marmot Day festivities take many different forms. Marmot Day is an official holiday in Alaska, and it typically involves a family dinner where marmot jokes and anecdotes are shared. The city of Owosso in Michigan hosts a Marmot Day festival which offers many family activities and a marmot video contest.

Want to celebrate Marmot Day, but can’t make it to Alaska or Michigan? No problem. If you live near marmot habitats, you can go marmot watching — if not, you can try researching marmots online or buying yourself a stuffed marmot.