2/01/2010

These Frosted Flakes are Grrrrrreaaaat!

Every once in a blue moon, you come up with an idea that people just buy into. You put it out there, and BAM! it catches on, ignites the spirit, and is an immediate success. It’s a feel good kinda wanna clap your hands like a little kid sort of thing. And it happened here to me and my staff this past week.


The idea? To hold the 1st Annual Parade of Snowmen as part of the local winter festival that we are responsible for organizing.

What if we have a bunch of plywood snowmen templates made? Then provide them to clubs, organizations, businesses, and institutions for free, to decorate however they want? Let them choose a favourite charity, and hold an online silent auction for the works of winter art, with all proceeds raised going to charity?
And then hang’em from the lampposts in downtown? (author's aside: thus creating the largest mass hanging ever in Canada)
And its thumpity, thump, thump, look at Frosty go!!
So, that’s what happened - except that there must have been some magic in the air that day: all of the plywood was donated, the cost of hanging the snowmen (requiring the services of a tree trimming company and their cherry picker for several hours) was also donated, and the snowmen flew out of here in flash, all 20 of them whisked out the door just about the time they came through the door.
It’s really and truly amazing. And it’s what I love about small towns. When "they" decide something is worthwhile, then you sit back and watch miracles happen.
The Silent Auction is running until Feb. 28th so I'm not sure how much money will be raised, but already, it’s got the entire town talking and I know these snowmen are going to create a lot of jolly, happy souls.

Thumpity, thump, thump, thumpity, thump, thump over the hills we go!

Here's a few of the parade participants...to see them all, visit http://www.pembrokefestivals.com/

 




8 comments:

Wolynski said...

Now these aren't real snowmen? But beautiful. What a fantastic idea. Don't get carried away with the hangings now.

Kcalpesh said...

These look really cute :-)

Pixellicious Photos

Ruth said...

Those are very cheerful and creative snowmen. I would buy one for sure.

FAB said...

What a grand idea..humour and artistry. FABulous.

jabblog said...

What a fantastic idea and there are some really creative decorations there :-)

Kelly said...

...these are really cool!! Funny....amazing....cute...you've got it all covered! Great Idea!

Mary said...

These are wonderful! We've done some similar art projects here for charity and I always enjoy seeing what the different groups paint. Would love to see something like this in the winter when everything is so dreary and boring. Maybe I'll have to suggest snowmen to someone locally.

Dave said...

I love the angry Snowman and the doggie...oops!