Imagine a city where even the snowplows have personalities! Winnipeg just turned its winter warriors into local celebrities with its first-ever snowplow naming contest, and the results are as creative as they are charming. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: this isn't just a quirky local initiative—it’s part of a global trend that started in Scotland nearly two decades ago. Now, Winnipeggers of all ages have joined in, turning a mundane task into a community celebration.
In a move that sparked both laughter and pride, over 13,000 votes were cast to name 12 of the city’s heavy-duty snowplows, including six graders and six loaders. The contest also invited classrooms to submit team names for walk-behind push-plows, with the winning class earning a pizza party with Mayor Scott Gillingham at city hall. The winning team name, Brrrrr-ger Kings, came from Ms. Tugby’s class at Van Belleghem School, a playful nod to the hard-working snow-clearing crews who, as Gillingham noted, ‘should be treated like royalty for working hard in the cold.’
The 12 winning plow names are a testament to Winnipeg’s wit and creativity:
- Dancing Blade
- Melt Stegall
- Emperor Plowpatine
- Kevin ShovelSnowOff
- Sled Penner
- Grady Oliveira
- Hellebuycket
- Slosh Morrissey
- Greg
- Mark Shovele
- Winnie the Plow
- Mr. Plow
Each winner received a custom name plate as a keepsake, and the snowplows will proudly bear these names until the next contest. ‘It was fun to do something enjoyable and lighthearted,’ Mayor Gillingham said, highlighting the community spirit the contest fostered.
But here’s the part most people miss: this tradition dates back to 2006 in Scotland, where schoolchildren named gritters (as plows are called in the U.K.). Winnipeg’s contest not only continues this global trend but also adds its own unique flair. And this raises a thought-provoking question: Are these names just fun, or do they reflect something deeper about how we connect with our environment and the people who keep our cities running?
What do you think? Do these names bring a smile to your face, or do they make you wonder if we’re taking things too far? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this snowy spectacle!
