we'll have to start a separate Mudcat site for vegetarians. GROUNDHOG DAY isn't about eating the critters!
And the origins aren't strictly American - Imbolc, St Brigid's Day, Candlemas are all at the beginning of Feb and all connected with the returning of spring.
I did a search for Candlemass and fouond out it's a Swedish heavy metal band. "St. Brigid's Day" was a more successful query.