Snowman Burning

Snowman Burning Day is commemorated on March 20^th every year. This special holiday is time for changing seasons, where we leave winter behind and head towards spring.

History of Snowman Burning Day

For the curious, burning a snowman is exactly what it sounds like. It involves burning snowmen. The Unicorn Hunters, an on-campus club focused on getting rid of those snowmen with unnecessary words from English celebrated the first Snowman Burning Day in March 1971 at Lake Superior State University (LSSU). Although the club no longer exists, the idea was inspired when some members of the club visited the 'Rose Sunday Festival' in Germany, where they saw the mayor go by town with a straw snowman.

According to reports, if the children are obedient, study well and obey their parents, the mayor will order the snowman to be burned with straw.

Finding inspiration in the event along with experiencing the end of a bitter cold winter in Michigan, the club started the tradition of burning snowmen based on rumors that the smoke rising from the flames would drive away storms snow and usher in spring-like weather.

After taking advantage of the event, it has become a longstanding university tradition for more than decades to welcome the arrival of spring. The snowman they use today is made from wood, paper for recycling bins, along with some straw, rope and some paint, up to 12 feet tall.

In 1992, there was a report that informed about the cancelation of this event was due to environmental effects. However, with the big effect of public, the event was celebrated and considered as a part of a Michigan tradition to keep the snowman burning.

How to Celebrate Snowman Burning Day

How about you in celebrating Snowman Burning Day? There are a lot of ways to commemorate it. You can create your own straw snowman to burn. Make sure on this day you do it with safety in mind. By igniting the little snowman, you will welcome the arrival of spring and say goodbye to the cold harshness of winter.

If you want to see a larger version of a burning snowman, head to LSSU's snowman burning festival and watch the snowman burn while having fun.

Do not forget to share your celebrations on social media by using the hashtag #snowmanburningday if you think this holiday is interesting and let your friends and family know what day it is today.