For many, winter in New England is the best season of the year. From glistening white snow upon the ground to cozying up in front of a warm fire, life couldn’t be better. Here at Christmas By the Sea Shoppe, we couldn’t agree more! With Christmas being our absolute favorite, we brought in the snowman decorations NH and MA residents need to keep the season going strong! In this article, we’re highlighting a few fun facts about snowmen that you probably didn’t know!
The world’s tallest snowman (woman) was built in Maine
In 2008, the town of Bethel, Maine combined efforts to create the world’s tallest snowman. Standing just over 122 feet tall, “Olympia” was built using 13 million pounds of snow! The snowman was so large, wreaths were used for buttons, car tires for eyes, and entire 27 foot long trees for arms! Olympia held her own until she finally melted in July.
Japan holds the record for the most snowmen built in an hour
Yes, this is a thing. In Akabira, Hokkaido, Japan, a total of 1,406 people went to work to break the world’s snowman building record. In just one hour, the team built 2,036 snowmen by hand.
We use groundhogs; they use snowmen
Although here in the United States, we rely on Punxsutawney Phil to reveal the upcoming spring forecast, other areas have their own traditions. For instance, in Zurich, Switzerland, an 11-foot snowman is stuffed with straw, cotton, and dynamite. With a bit of imagination, you can forecast the result. According to the legend, the faster the explosion, the sooner spring will arrive.
Snowmen were used to sell booze. And a lot of it.
After 1933 when Prohibition came to an end, snowmen gained a new name, snow-lushes. Snowpeople were utilized in several different print advertisements for companies such as Jack Daniel’s, Miller, and Schlitz.
Japan also holds the record for most snowmen built in one year
During 2003, the residents of Sapporo, Japan, made a whopping 12,379 snowmen during the winter season! Since, the town has held a festival every February highlighting their snowmen making abilities.
Frosty the snowman was a hit song before a cartoon
Written by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson in 1950, the classic Christmas jingle Frosty the Snowman was released. It wasn’t until December 7, 1969, that the infamous Christmas cartoon debuted.
Regardless of the time of year, here at Christmas By the Sea Shoppe, we’re always in the Christmas spirit! For all of your NH snowman decorations, stop by and visit us today!
