A Giant Snowman Brings Winter Excitement Back to Minocqua
In the town of Minocqua, a team is hard at work constructing the impressive Snowmy Kromer, a snowman that stands a towering 30 feet tall. Workers from Schrom’s Excavating are transporting snow from around the town and using an excavator to pile it within a circle of fencing that reaches 10 feet high. On top of this, other workers pack the snow down, aided by a spray of water from a Minocqua Fire Department truck to ensure it freezes solidly.
As a beloved local tradition, the return of Snowmy Kromer has been eagerly awaited, especially after a couple of years with minimal snowfall. “We are so excited to have this snowman back. It’s been a number of years,” said Krystal Westfahl, the president and CEO of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. This year, the early and ample snowfall has allowed the town to revive the snowman and the festive spirit it brings.
In past years, limited snowfall has curtailed winter activities and impacted local businesses. However, this season, residents and visitors are looking forward to experiencing a quintessential Northwoods winter. “Having winter and winter sports, we’re the frozen tundra, right? This is all about being a Wisconsinite,” Westfahl explained, noting the collective enthusiasm for the return of winter activities.
This year marks Minocqua Fire Chief Rich Carani’s first involvement in the construction of Snowmy Kromer. “It’s quite the project,” Carani noted, emphasizing the fire department’s commitment to supporting community initiatives.
Snowmy Kromer is renowned for his distinctive 4-foot-long pipe and a size 96 Stormy Kromer hat. This year is particularly special as the town unveils a new hat that has been in waiting due to previous snow shortages. “We had a custom-made brand new Stormy Kromer hat made two years ago,” Westfahl shared. “We’re very excited” for its debut.
The snowman has also found a new home at Torpy Park, where people can observe its construction via webcam. Snowmy Kromer has previously garnered attention beyond local borders, going viral in 2015. “People from around the world were seeing him,” Westfahl recalled, highlighting Snowmy Kromer as both a community symbol and an effective marketing tool.
The snowman’s construction takes approximately three days, and it will remain a fixture in Minocqua as long as weather permits.
Originally published by WXPR as part of the Wisconsin News Collaborative.
