| Snowman |
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| Written by Kayla Robertson | ||||
| Friday, 28 March 2008 | ||||
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On Thursday at 12, a large gathering of Lake State students and faculty enjoyed the 38th annual snowman burning in front of the Cisler Center. Students gathered around to enjoy hotdogs and watch a ten-foot snowman (made of recycled paper) burn. Started in 1971 by the Unicorn Hunters Club, Snowman Burning has become LSSU’s tribute to the ending of winter and the commencement of spring. Since then, the snowman burning is a community event, looked forward to during the winter season. In fact, in 1992 the Environmental Awareness Club at Lake State brought a halt to the tradition proposing that burning such a beast would pollute the air and harm the environment. Lake State’s Public Relations Department cancelled the event promptly worrying that it would go from light-hearted fun to a controversy. Surprisingly, many people (news crew, students, and local residents) called to complain about canceling the event. Since then, the event has taken place every year. But still, many people ask, “Why burn snowmen?” The tradition comes from a parade in Weinheim-an-der-Bergstrasse, Germany. As part of The Rose Sunday Festival, the mayor makes a deal with the children telling them that if they are good and work hard, he will burn the straw snowman and begin spring. Also, some people believe that burning a snowman will keep blizzards away. Many people attended (including a news crew) despite the freezing temperatures. We invited spring with a wind-chill of nine degrees Fahrenheit. Hot dogs were enjoyed by all as we beckoned in a new spring, which officially began at 1:48 a.m. on Thursday when the Sun crossed directly over the Earth’s equator (known as the vernal equinox). Other festivities that help celebrate the beginning of spring include poetry readings from local elementary school students, and other eager participants, which help make up the introduction to the snowman incineration. The event has changed hands many times. While Student government purchases the paint and other materials for the snowman, the event is now officially handled by the university itself.  Add as favourites (0)
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