Burning snowman marks beginning of spring in Sault

Brendan Wiesner, The Sault News
·1 min read
1
The burning snowman, made of a wire frame and paper products, burns away to symbolize the beginning of spring on March 20, 2023 at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.
The burning snowman, made of a wire frame and paper products, burns away to symbolize the beginning of spring on March 20, 2023 at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.

SAULT STE. MARIE — With the burning of a snowman, spring has officially arrived in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lake Superior State University staff and students gathered on Monday to witness the burning of the snowman, one of the longest running traditions at the school.

Lake Superior State University President Rodney Hanley lights the snowman on March 20, 2023, officially bringing spring to LSSU.
Lake Superior State University President Rodney Hanley lights the snowman on March 20, 2023, officially bringing spring to LSSU.

The annual snowman burning festival takes place as close as possible to the first day of spring. Every year, the tradition carries a theme, usually tied to the idea of rebirth and rejuvenation. For the past two years, the focus of the tradition has been on burning away negativity.

This year, participants symbolically burned away their negative feelings that weigh them down so they can enter into the new season unburdened. The gathered students and staff did this by writing down the feelings they want to burn away and attaching them to the snowman.

LSSU students and other locals gather to watch the annual burning of the snowman on the first day of spring on March 20, 2023.
LSSU students and other locals gather to watch the annual burning of the snowman on the first day of spring on March 20, 2023.

Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our coverage

The snowman itself was made of a wire frame and decorated with paper products that were recycled or scrapped throughout the past school year.

The burning snowman, made of a wire frame and paper products, burns away to symbolize the beginning of spring on March 20, 2023.
The burning snowman, made of a wire frame and paper products, burns away to symbolize the beginning of spring on March 20, 2023.
Students from a creative writing club at LSSU read community sourced poems about spring and rebirth at the annual snowman burning event on March 20, 2023.
Students from a creative writing club at LSSU read community sourced poems about spring and rebirth at the annual snowman burning event on March 20, 2023.

The popular tradition began with poetry readings from the LSSU English Composition Club and event host Michael Beazley, LSSU's dean of student affairs.

"This is our first day of spring, and this tradition helps us to bid goodbye to winter and welcome the new season," said Beazley.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Burning snowman marks beginning of spring in Sault