Bethel setting out to build giant snowwoman

BETHEL – The world’s tallest snowman – 113 feet, 7 inches – was built in this western Maine town in 1999.

Now the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce is setting out to one-up itself, with a twist. This time, the Chamber of Commerce will attempt to build the world’s tallest snowwoman.

The effort is slated to begin Jan. 22 and take up to 20 days to complete, said Executive Director Robin Zinchuk.

“We definitely learned a lot the first time around and that’s helping us know what we need to do. We really didn’t know what we were doing last time,” Zinchuk said.

The giant snowman was named “Angus, King of the Mountain” in honor of former Gov. Angus King.

Angus was so big that his nose was 8 feet long, his hat was 20 feet in diameter and the scarf around his neck was 120 feet long. His eyes were 4-foot wreaths, and his smile was made from automobile tires.

It took so much snow to make Angus that he didn’t entirely melt away until mid-June.

Fashion ideas being tossed around for a giant snowwoman include making a skirt out of snow, adding a pink scarf and painting tires lipstick red for her mouth.

Jim Sysko, the chief architect and engineer nine years ago, again will lead the construction team. He’ll be assisted by an engineer and a longtime snowmaker from the nearby Sunday River ski resort, which has a new snowmaking gun that could help ease the effort.

For a name, the Chamber is considering holding a naming contest. The giant snowman was named by a radio station disc jockey.

“I haven’t heard from Angus [King] yet, but I’m sure he will be thrilled that we’re doing it again. He’s all about doing fun things,” Zinchuk said.