FOR ME, WINTER in Faribault wouldn’t be winter without the ginormous snowman standing in the front yard of an historic home at 18 Third Avenue Northwest.
Here the Hoisington family has crafted a giant Frosty for the past nine winters, first acquiring sufficient additional snow from church parking lots and now from the Faribault Ice Arena. This year’s snowman came to life in early December, although I sidetracked to view it for the first time several days ago.
I’ve seen and photographed this towering snowman for three, now four, years. Still, I react the same—with a broad smile. There’s something about a snowman, no matter it’s size, that recounts the winter fun of childhood. And that’s a good thing to remember when I tire of the cold and snow in the Bold North.
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Click here to see my 2014 blog post on this snowman.
Click here to read the 2015 post.
And click here to read the 2016 post.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love this huge snowman and this family certainly is making the most out of living in a snow covered state. Thanks for the smile today.
You are welcome.
That icy man is thing children’s dreams are made of, don’tcha think?? Creating such an imposing “person” was always the challenge in the neighborhood where I grew up. Somehow, the placement of the upper “body parts” became the determining factor in winning finish. Acquiring enough snow, beyond that first section, became quite elusive….LOL!!!
85F+ yesterday, with humidity in a similar range, places me almost on a different planet!!
Eight-five plus degrees…I’d welcome that after what remains an incredibly cold winter. The high today is expected to reach nine. But, hey, the sun is sparkling across the fresh layer of snow.
Wellllll……it’s that sparkly white stuff that’s the reason we have this little nest (but you know that!) and Tom couldn’t be happier! Totally loving this!!!! I really like it, too, but I’m not the one who has had to do the plowing thing the last few years.
I will admit to a tinge of envy. But I really am happy for you and Tom.
The sofa-bed is here for ya!!!!🌴😎🏖
It’s, oh, so tempting…you never know.
👍
Frosty is so great! I love it! Anything to offer a smile is good in my book.
Agreed. We need more smiles in this world.
I have seen this snowman in the past and it is always a sight to see…he’s so big. And yes, he makes me smile. I like the fact they make one every year.
It’s become part of Faribault’s winter tradition. I’m surprised you’ve seen the snowman given its somewhat out-of-the-way location.
I admit we saw it when we were driving around looking for someplace else. 😉
Ah, OK…
What a cool snowman! I laughed thinking about our own snowmen growing up. We’d each make our own, but then that was always a competition, which turned into an argument, which turned into a snowball fight. Ha ha! Even the days of melting became competition for us. Whoever’s snowman was packed the hardest lasted the longest, and that person boasted being the real winner. Oh the days of youth!
Thanks for sharing those fun (most of the time) winter memories.
Wonderful tradition. An impressive house calls for an impressive snowman. Made me smile.
Yeah, I would love to tour that impressive house. It’s just beautiful from the outside.
First time I have seen a snowman that big. Made me smile, thanks for sharing the picture.
Good to hear from you, Judy. That snowman certainly brings many smiles. 🙂
That’s a great snowman! I’m glad you found something to make you smile in winter. As for the Bold North, Mick asked me late Sunday night if, now that the Super Bowl is over, we can quit calling this place the Bold North! Made me laugh.
That Mick. I rather like the tag.
It’s so nice that the owners gave the snowman a pet dog! Great picture!
I was pretty thrilled when I saw the dog in the yard. His presence helps define the snowman’s size.
But I really like your witty comment. I wish I would have thought of that and written it into a humorous post.
I have seen him a couple times! I love that they put that kind of effort into it!
Well, this snowman is way more popular than I thought.
Love this snowman! (and I love that beautiful house) We have had a great winter for snow sculptures for sure 🙂
Do you have a snow sculpture in your yard. There’s a project for you and Rick and the grandkids. We’re showing Izzy the gigantic snowman when she comes to stay with us on Saturday.
No we haven’t been out sculpturing, it’s been too cold for the snow to stick! Izzy will love that snowman. Brice and Jenny have the 19 foot tall Lobster named diggs just down the street from their house. 3 brothers make a new sculpture every year, you can check it out here…. http://www.fox9.com/news/bartz-brothers-christen-lobster-snow-sculpture-diggs-after-vikings-win
Have fun with sweet Izzy this weekend 🙂
That sculpture is so amazing. I’ve seen it featured on news broadcasts. Kudos to those brothers for creating this and raising monies for charity.
And, yes, I will have fun with sweet Izzy.
Cute snowman and that house is beautiful too
We drove by this snowman twice this past weekend when our nearly two-year-old granddaughter stayed with us. She loved it.
Glad to see they found a hat, Frosty must have a hat. So, what’s the story of the creators and the beautiful house? ginormous is a real word. My education is sadly neglected. Doesn’t look like you have “that” much snow, must have hauled it in. My dusty miller isn’t even covered yet, we’re thankful for a few 30s and SUN! This is a great piece, thanks so much for bringing it to us!
I don’t know the story of the house. But it’s beautiful, isn’t it? I know the family in as I “know” who the Hoisingtons are. A wonderful family with giving hearts.
We got about eight inches of snow in that recent storm so everything is white here and a good depth of white. The family gets additional snow from the Faribault Ice Arena.
I’m always delighted to bring stories of goodness to this blog.