SAULT STE. MARIE — Spring is not officially here until Lake Superior State University says it is.
They said good-bye to old man winter and welcomed in the new season early Friday evening.
The annual snowman burning took place at 5:30 on Its campus in Sault Ste. Marie, with nearly three feet of snow on the ground and piles even higher.
LSSU has seen nearly 175-inches of snow this winter season since the first flakes fell in early November. Friday morning, they woke up to another 4 inches of fluff.
Students, faculty and community members gathered around to watch the nearly 12-foot snowman made of shredded paper and chicken wire, disappear in a matter of minutes, oping it takes winter with it.
“This is honestly one of our favorite things at Lake State because it really tells us it’s the end of Winter, as you can tell. It’s a great way to bring in Spring and a great way for the community to be here on campus, said LSSU Board of Trustees member, Pete Scornaiencki”
The annual event was started back in 1971 by the campus “Unicorn Hunter’s Club.”
It was canceled only once, in 1992, due to a protest by the Environmental Awareness Club.