Winnipeg’s snowplows recently received new names through a city-wide naming contest that engaged thousands of residents. The initiative allowed Winnipeggers of all generations to propose monikers for 12 heavy machines, comprising six graders and six loaders. Additionally, classrooms were encouraged to suggest a team name for a cluster of walk-behind push-plows.
This tradition traces back to 2006 in Scotland, where young students were tasked with naming plows, or gritters, as they are known in the U.K. Winnipeg’s winning names for the snow-clearing vehicles include Dancing Blade, Melt Stegall, Emperor Plowpatine, Kevin ShovelSnowOff, Sled Penner, Grady Oliveira, Hellebuycket, Slosh Morrissey, Greg, Mark Shovele, Winnie the Plow, and Mr. Plow. The victors were honored at an event where they received custom name plates as mementos.
Reflecting on the contest, Mayor Scott Gillingham expressed his delight at the community’s enthusiastic participation, with over 13,000 votes cast for the submitted names. Gillingham also noted the involvement of classrooms in naming the walk-behind push-plows, with the winning entry, Brrrrr-ger Kings, originating from Ms. Tugby’s class at Van Belleghem School. The name was chosen to pay tribute to the dedicated efforts of Winnipeg’s snow-clearing teams, who brave the cold to ensure safe roads.
The newly christened snow-clearing equipment will retain their names until the next naming contest, according to the mayor’s announcement.