Marshfield Man’s Yard Features Different Snow Sculptures Each Year
Each year since 2010, Larry Stargardt has crafted a different snow creation in his front yard on Schmidt Avenue in Marshfield.
The first year featured a giant fireplace with fake logs and red Christmas lights.
“All the neighbors said ‘That looks so cool!’” said Stargardt. “So the next year, they asked what I was going to create.”
While the first creation took only four hours to construct, the next year Stargardt decided to step up his game. 2011 featured a large snow killer whale in the front yard and 2012 was a great white shark. The next year showcased a giant Packer helmet on the front lawn, in which Larry and wife, Karen, placed a television so they could watch the game.
2014 was a St. Patrick’s Day house, and 2015 was a giant Easter bunny. That year involved the whole neighborhood, as Stargardt created frozen Easter eggs and planted them in 17 yards. Residents were given a schedule of when their egg would “hatch,” and on the hatch date they would have to place something into their open egg. Neighbors had everything from barbie dolls to beer cans in their eggs.
Last winter, the neighbors were also involved. While Stargardts’ yard held a giant wave with a bobsled run, neighboring yards featured different sea creatures- turtles and octopi made of snow.
“The neighborhood likes it,” said Stargardt, who added that his neighbors have been essential helpers as the snow structures have grown.
“You have to know your neighbors if you want to do this,” he said. “This year, I collected more than 100 wheelbarrows of snow from the neighbors.”
On one day alone, Stargardt collected 30 wheelbarrows full of snow and then used a snowblower to create the giant hill.
“You just keep piling and piling. Then you shape it,” he said. “Every year it just kept getting bigger and bigger. Because I was having so much fun, I stayed out there longer,”
As someone who likes exercise, Stargardt enjoys the opportunity to continue staying active in the wintertime.
“I can’t ski or skate and I don’t like ‘big boy toys,’ so I have nothing to do in the winter,” said Stargardt. He calls his outdoor creations “SnowSanity” after the popular exercise regimen.
“It’s exercise with a purpose because I’m actually accomplishing something while I’m doing it,” he said. “You get really warm out there. I come inside and I’m sweating.”
Most nights, Stargardt will spend at least an hour in the snow, but some days it’s many more.
Each year, the projects have been more complex, involving paneling, poles, and careful planning. Incorporating design, engineering, and a whole bunch of creativity, Stargardt is not only exercising his body, but his artistic talents.
He uses his 3-gallon yard sprayer and adds a touch of food coloring to decorate his creations, and has discovered that a garden hoe is the best tool for shaping.
This year’s creation, started in December and debuted on January 14, is a life-size version of Chutes & Ladders. With 27 markers, chutes with sleds, and stairs, the first day featured four sets of five players over the course of the afternoon. Participants shake a dice to advance markers, just like in the board game.
“The kids that came down last year sledding wanted to know what I was doing this year. They converted me into making a full game out of it,” he said.
This could be Stargardt’s last snow creation, as he plans to retire this year and travel someplace warmer in the winter months.
“I need someone to take over…” he hinted.
Drive down Schmidt Avenue in Marshfield (near Wildwood Zoo) to see Giant Chutes & Ladders.
If you have a snow sculpture in your yard, let us know! We’re making a list!
Larry’s SnowSanity Tips 101
Creating Benches:
- Freeze water in two five-gallon buckets
- Freeze water in a sled
- Place sled ice on top of the two frozen bucket ices
- For a table, replace the sled with a swimming pool full of ice
- Use food coloring to make different colors
