Parker the Snowman has really taken off in size!
A Massachusetts family, during their second year of building, has created a colossal snowman that stands an impressive 23 feet tall, thanks to Winter Storm Hernando. The original creation, which was 20 feet high and 21 feet wide, has now been puffed up by an additional four feet around and another three feet in height after a weekend snowstorm covered the state in snow.
Eric Ahlerd, who designed this giant snowman, shared that working on this year’s project felt “more painful” than anything he’s done in the last decade.
His wife, Katie Arreld, mentioned that they started this snowy tradition back in November 2024, just after the birth of their daughter Emerson, while they were “messing around” at home.
The snowman has become quite the spectacle, especially at night when it lights up. Katie found the glowing red eyes a bit “creepy,” but they decided to switch them to blue this year.
According to Katie, her husband used a variety of tools, including snow blowers, shovels, wood, ladders, and water to ensure the snowman held up for weeks.
The quirky top hat on Parker is a creative touch made from a trash can and spray-painted plywood. Its eyes, buttons, and tree branch arms are embellished with bright lights, making it a delightful sight for anyone passing by their home in Shirley.
Last year, the snowman didn’t entirely melt until early April, which adds another layer to their snowman-building legacy.
The Arrelds intend to create a bigger and better snowman each year they can manage it.
While many New Yorkers built their own snowmen and snow structures during a rare snowfall on Monday, none could quite match the impressive scale of the Arreld family’s creation.
