Canada’s capital city became home to another 2,069 residents Sunday afternoon – but they’ll likely melt before they get too comfortable.
An Ottawa group worked to reclaim a world record on Sunday for most snowmen made in 60 minutes. A massive crowd gathered at the TD Place Stadium to roll, stack and assemble as many snowmen as they could within an hour.
The goal: to take back the world title that had been snatched away last year by a Japanese group after the Ottawa snowman-builders held the record for just a few weeks.
The Ottawa group made 1,299 snowmen on Feb. 1, 2015, but a group in Akabira, Japan surpassed that with 2,036 snowmen on Feb. 28, 2015.
“We got the right weather, we got the right snow, we probably have 2,000 people from Ottawa making snowmen,“ said event organizer John Helmkay.
The record’s rules state that each snowman must be a “regulation size” of three feet tall and have two arms, two eyes and a nose.
World records are typically confirmed by the Guinness World Records before becoming official. It’s unclear whether the organization has approved the Ottawa record yet.
Regardless, participants say they revelled in the fast-paced rivalry.
“It’s quite the workout also. No need for the gym this weekend,” one participant told CTV Ottawa.
Among the group was Ottawa Redblacks coach Rick Campbell, who said he was happy to see so many people enjoying the football field in the wintertime.
“That’s what I love about being down here. It isn’t just about football, it’s about a lot of other things too so it’s definitely a good event,” Campbell said.
Funds raised from the event will go towards two Ottawa charities: the Causeway Work Centre and Do It For Daron, which focuses on youth mental health awareness.
Meanwhile, in Saskatoon a different chilly world record was set. More than 8,000 people gathered to hold the world's largest snowball fight.
With files from CTV Ottawa
