BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. The kids. The moms. The dads. The grandmas and grandpas. To see Faribault’s version of Frosty the Snowman.
Late Saturday afternoon, as day glided into the golden light of early evening, family after family pulled over at the corner of First Street Northwest and Third Avenue Northwest to take photos with a ginormous snowman created by the Hoisington family. It is their annual holiday gift to the community, a gift which brings lots of smiles and joy.
I witnessed that as kids and families posed for pictures with the towering snowman in the Hoisingtons’ front yard.
They came in their Paul Bunyan buffalo plaid and fur caps and hats, some with ear flappers, some not. They came in their boots and sneakers, their jeans, some ripped, some not. They came to see this towering snowman popular enough to now have his own hashtag, #faribofrosty.
I delighted in these families making memories on a cold December day in southern Minnesota.
Faribo Frosty embodies the spirit of giving. Faribo Frosty embodies the spirit of joy. Faribo Frosty embodies a sense of togetherness, of family, of community.
For a moment or ten, a snowman focuses thoughts and vision and the world seems a magical and happy place.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Hi Audrey! Thanks for sharing the story about the Hoisingtons family in Faribault! I was on the phone talking with a friend here in Oslo, Norway, about the strong commercialism around Christmas. She said people have forgotten the meaning of ‘real sharing’ at Christmas and at that moment this ‘real sharing’ in Faribault was a blessing to see on pc screen!!
You are so right. Commercialism prevails. We need more Frosty moments and I’m happy to have brought one to you indirectly this morning from Faribault.
I love that gigantic snowman! What a great tradition. How in the world do they get it so tall?
The local paper did a story on this snowman a year ago. The Hoisingtons get some of their snow from the Faribault Ice Arena and then build Frosty with their hands and shovels. They bring out an extension ladder as he grows in height. No fancy equipment. Just a labor of love that started with your usual average-sized snowman who grew and grew and grew.
I would love to know how the family makes Faribo Frosty, but maybe that’s a secret and part of the fun.
Colleen, they build Frosty by hand (literally) using hands and shovels and then pull out an extension ladder as he grows taller. Extra snow comes from the Faribault Ice Arena. They’ve built a giant Frosty now for about 10 years.
What a happy happy post. Makes me smile.
Excellent. That’s exactly the type of reaction I hoped for from readers.
😀
Audrey, A couple of friends wonder if you have any photos of them constructing Frosty. I went and looked at your other posts and couldn’t find any. Thanks so much Ruth in Pittsburgh
No, Ruth, I don’t have any photos of the Hoisingtons building Frosty. That would be nice to show, though, wouldn’t it? Perhaps Faribo Frosty needs a Facebook page. Can a snowman have a Facebook page?
He should have a FB Page. I saw his Instagram pics. Maybe next year you write to the family to see if you can document the building of him . Or maybe they want him to appear like magic in the night. What a great snowman.
Ruth, I have a surprise for you. Be sure to check my posts this week for a Frosty update.
I look forward to your surprise for me. How exciting! You can be sure I’ll be checking in to see.
It may be a few days…
No rush. The anticipation will build!
Reblogged this on Cardboard Me Travels.
Thank you!
Now that’s a big snowman! I’m hoping the New Brighton Snow sculpture is finished and I will be able to see it today as it’s not far from my son’s house….we shall see?
What did those guys craft this year? Enjoy your day with the grandkids (and their parents).
Not enough snow yet….I will check back in January.
Love this! 🙂
Thank you. I intend to show my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter Frosty when she comes for an overnight stay this weekend.
My daughter would love it too!! Even at 11!
That’s the thing. Frosty appeals to all ages.
Our granddaughter, Zoey, can’t wait to make a snowman. We’ll have to get her down to see this big one! Gary and I made a small one in our back yard in the last snow storm…it’s little but it didn’t melt so Zoey was thrilled to see it! So fun!!!
Zoey would be in awe of Faribo Frosty.
what a wonderful community holiday addition and to think it has its own hashtag. I loved your description … They came in their Paul Bunyan buffalo plaid and fur caps and hats, some with ear flappers, some not. They came in their boots and sneakers, their jeans, some ripped, some not. So easy to visualize these holiday visitors. anticipating a glimpse of this family’s workmanship coming in all directions
It was so Minnesotan to see all those families dressed as they were. Buffalo plaid rules in Minnesota in the winter. That I’ve concluded.
WOW!!!
Now that’s a reaction. You would love Faribo Frosty, Norma. We’re showing Izzy on Saturday.
Adorable! What a wonderful thing this family does!
Yes, indeed. They are giving a lot of people joy.
I’m sure Marc and Amber will take pictures of Isabelle and her reaction to the Snowman. I would love to see and hear her.
We showed her the snowman last year, but didn’t get out of the van. This year I intend to take her right up to Frosty. 🙂
That’s a LOT of work to make a snowman that robust!! I thought maybe they used a tractor loader or a cherry picker bucket truck, but no… That’s impressive!
Nope a ladder. Andy Hoisington is a painter so he has lots of ladders.