Mangiamo to hold area snowman building contest

The first annual snowman building contest will be hosted by Gilmore Collection’s Italian restaurant on Lake February 9. In return for participation, Mangiamo offers contestants free hotdogs and a complimentary cup of hot spiced cider or hot chocolate with a purchase of their $6.50 3-topping pizza.  

“We are hosting the contest to speak to families,” says Mangiamo’s General Manager Eric Teasley. Teasley, through the contest, hopes to encourage a “creative umph” in the community as well as communicate that Mangiamo’s is “not just the big stuffy house on the hill.”

Teasley hopes parents will bring their kids for an afternoon outing. He ultimately expects 50 snow-sculpture competitors between the adult competition and the children’s  competition ( for ages 13 and under).

Two judges from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) will decide the winners. Mangiamo awards first place in the adult competition (from 1 p.m to 3 p.m.) with a Gilmore Tour. The Tour, offers six $40 dollar gift cards to use at Gilmore’s restaurants. Second place and third place also boast prizes of fine dining through a $100 Gilmore gift card and a $50 gift card.

Children can compete for prizes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. They can build snow sculptures in attempts to win Target gift cards of $50, $25, and $10.

Teasley assures that the contest will continue even if mother nature decides to hold off the snow.

“Mangiamo will rent snow-machines” to supply the white stuff if “global warming” decides to make an entrance

To participate in Mangiamo’s contest, Teasley invites anyone to either call ahead or show up on the spot. Interested members only have to bring themselves and decorations for their Frosty’s face.

“We don’t intend to turn anyone away,” says Teasley.