People who live in Albuquerque are used the seasons changing and the tumbleweeds turning into snowmen, but for anyone else this might be a strange sight. New Mexico, and especially Albuquerque, aren't known for mountains of snow in the winter. A local organization took the lack of snow into their own hands and started using a seemingly useless material and created a holiday tradition that we've all grown to know and love.
Every year, the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority takes the city's endless tumbleweeds and turns them into a giant jolly snowman.
Standing at over 14-feet tall, you won't miss this gigantic tumbleweed that's spray painted and dressed like a snowman on the side of the highway. This jolly giant goes up the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (also known as Tumbleweed Tuesday,) and will stay there well into January.
This huge tumbleweed snowman has been on display on the side of I-40, right outside of the AMAFCA offices for over two decades now.
In 1995, the AMAFCA has created a gigantic tumbleweed snowman outside of their offices. It's said that it all started as a joke, simply a way to use the city's ever-present tumbleweeds, but now the organization is fully committed.
This giant snowman may have started as a joke, but the organization takes it seriously year after year, and it keeps getting bigger.
Year after year, the tumbleweed snowman grows in size. It now reaches over 15-feet tall. The AMAFCA starts collecting tumbleweeds as early as August to make sure they'll have enough. The tumbleweeds are welded to a stand, though the winds will still occasionally take him down.
Albuquerquians have grown to know and love the tumbleweed snowman, and look forward to its jolly face every year.
You'll often see the beloved AMAFCA tumbleweed snowman in local parades, on TV, and generally being loved by New Mexicans everywhere.
Despite living in a state that doesn't get much snow, this tumbleweed snowman brings us holiday joy all winter long.
To check in on the tumbleweed snowman, you can visit the AMAFCA's Facebook page right here.
Are you a fan of the tumbleweed snowman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to share your photos of this magnificent tumbleweed man with us in our New Mexico Nature Lovers Facebook group, or tag us on Instagram by tagging #onlyinnewmexico for a chance to be featured!
Still not feeling in the holiday spirit? Hop aboard New Mexico's most spectacular Christmas train that's an entire holiday experience.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
