Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day is celebrated annually on January 23 in the U.S. The day is celebrated as a token of appreciation by the local community towards the hardworking snow plowers who clear the streets, roads, and sidewalks every year in winter. So what happens on this day is that snow plowers are given a clear shot at taking down as many mailboxes as they can while snow plowing in the streets. The greater the number of mailboxes taken down, the more points they score. Five points are awarded for every mailbox, and an extra 20 are given if the mailbox is thrown across the street. The one with the maximum points wins and is given a reasonable reward.
History of Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day
In most U.S. cities, winters are harsh and snowy. The roads get covered with up to three feet of snow, and it would practically become impossible to travel if the snow is not removed. During such harsh conditions, it has always been the snow plowers that made it possible to go to schools, colleges, offices, and everywhere one had to go.
One key incident that always happens during the snowplowing in the streets is that many mailboxes get thrashed in one way or the other. It is hard to say whether it is done unintentionally or intentionally as most of the time these mailboxes are covered under layers of snow which makes them invisible. Whatever the reason may be, the point is that these mailboxes are thrashed regularly by these pacing snow plow trucks.
Keeping this fact in mind that up until the 1850s, people used to ski over the snow to get somewhere, and in fact layers of snow were rolled on the roads to make skiing possible. Afterward, when horse-driven plowers came in, people started clearing the roads and streets off of snow, but it was then when they realized snow plowing is not an easy task and so motorized truck-mounted plowers came in the 1920s.
As the plow blades and methods became more sophisticated and easily mountable, people began mounting them on cars and started clearing the streets and alleyways on their own. This resulted in the thrashing of many snow-covered, hidden mailboxes till the time that now while many people consider snow plowing a public service, many people also think that a fun day should be given to these snow plowers.
In this regard, January 23 was unanimously declared as a Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day, when snow plowers were given a free shot at taking down as many mailboxes as they could, with guaranteed points for every mailbox thrashed.
Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day timeline
There is a system of skiing over the snow and to ensure there was sufficient snow, snow wardens are used to roll the snow.
The first horse-driven snowplows arrive in Milwaukee and are used in residential streets and alleys.
The first motorized plowers come in as early as 1913 and soon afterward Caterpillar tractors are also introduced.
Motorized snowplows take control in the early 1920s after designs for car-mounted snowplows come in from designers in Norway and New York.
Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day FAQs
What’s the best way to help your mailbox survive the snowplow?
Make sure your mailbox mount is installed at least one foot into the ground (the deeper, the better), encasing it in cement for extra support. Opt for thick metal posts over wood. Brick and stone surround likewise boost visibility and better protect your box. Shovel around your mailbox after a heavy snowfall, aiming for at least 2 feet in each direction, giving the snow a better path and preventing your box from bombardment. Boost visibility with reflective flags and markers.
When was the first Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day celebrated?
Although there is no fixed origin date for Wellcat Holidays, it would be fair to say that the first Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day was celebrated in 2010.
What is the record of the maximum number of mailboxes taken down?
In 2021, it was reported that in Hendricks County, IN. 15 mailboxes were destroyed among many others damaged in a mile stretch.
Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day Activities
Make your team
In your town, make a team of snow plowers and invite other newbies and host a match. See who takes down the maximum number of mailboxes.
Be a referee
To announce a winner there needs to be a referee who would count the number of mailboxes taken down per plower. Volunteer to be a referee or honor an ex-player with an invitation to be a referee.
Host the games live on social media
Snow plowers work hard to make your routes to workplaces and schools/colleges accessible. Give these hard workers the deserved acknowledgment and a pat on the back by hosting these games live on social media and making it an annual sporting event. Present the winner with a decent gift purchased by everyone’s contribution in the town.
5 Facts About Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day Everyone Should Know
Over 100 patented plow designs
Since 1870, over 100 snow plow designs have been patented by different producers.
200 feet away
A rotary snowplow is so powerful it can throw the roadside snow at distances of 200 feet.
“Scrape and Scoop” was designed by a woman
The first snow plower designed to scrape and scoop the snow was designed by and patented by a woman named Lydia Fairweather.
2015: Mailbox vs. Snowplow
Somewhere in Chicago, in a one-on-one showdown, a mailbox mounted on a steel beam survived a mowing attempt by a snowplow and managed to inflict heavy damage too.
$179 for snow removal
On average, the cost of removing snow from one’s house is around $179, but it can go as high as $400.
Why We Love Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day
Recognizing the hard work
The city and town owe the snow plowers and all the people who are dedicated to clearing the roads and sidewalks for the people. This day comes in and should come in as a recognition from the people to all those hard workers out there who clear the streets and roads to make daily business possible.
They deserve a day of fun
Even the most entertaining of jobs can become boring and less attractive sometimes. As a token of appreciation for the people in these jobs and to provide them with a day to have fun while on the job, this day exists for this very reason, so that snow plowers can enjoy taking down mailboxes this day, and even get a prize for this.
Mailboxes are annoying
Who even uses mailboxes today? When everything gets delivered to your doorstep, these mailboxes are just signboards asking to get taken down. So why not make use of such days and take down the useless mailboxes. An even better idea would be to make a sporting event out of it.
Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 23 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 23 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 23 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 23 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 23 | Tuesday |
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