Frosty Friday: The Many Faces of Frosty

 We know that this is the Frosty Friday post you've all been waiting for!

One of the things that we noticed when started this project was that Frosty had undergone a few makeovers over the years. You wouldn't think that a snowman could have so many different looks, but Frosty proves that theory wrong. 

One of our interviewees, Dave Lythgoe stated "Frosty has evolved, similar to Santa". Over the years, Frosty's appearance changed with the times, technology and the festival itself, as it continued to grow. 

When we asked our interviewees about Frosty and the evolution of his appearance, nearly everyone mentioned Mary Philpott. She was a talented and creative seamstress who was responsible for many of the costumes seen on Frosty throughout the years, and was known as the keeper of the costume. 

“Mary Philpott, I wouldn’t call her the designer, but whenever we used to change the look of Frosty as a snowman, she would work on that design, and add something to it and she’d be the keeper of the mascot because with her sewing talents, she could do something with it.” - Pat Walsh, 2020

"Mary Philpott was the person we would go to if we had anything wrong with Frosty's outfit. She was always there to help." - Agnes Murphy, 2020

Join us through a journey through time and see the many faces of Frosty. 

The Original

This version of Frosty was present at the very first Frosty Festival in 1983. 
L-R: Keith Johnson, Frosty, Gordon Seabright, Harvey Hodder, Neil Windsor, unknown.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

The First Makeover

The original Frosty costume from 1983 was short-lived. By the second festival in 1984, a new costume had been developed which featured a plush head, as opposed to the harder plastic look of the original. 

The second Frosty was unveiled in 1984.
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl. 

The "plush" head of the second Frosty. 
Frosty with Harvey Hodder, 1985.
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 1985. 
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 1986. 
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 1987. 
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 1988. 
Image courtesy of the City of Frosty Festival.

Frosty, 1989. 
Image courtesy of the City ofFrosty Festival.

Frosty, 1990. 
Image courtesy of the City of Frosty Festival.

Frosty, 1991. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

The Second Makeover

In 1992, the 10th annual Frosty Festival took place. Frosty was ready for this special anniversary and a new look was unveiled. This version of Frosty featured more human-like proportions, and a more jovial facial expression.

The third iteration of Frosty was unveiled in 1992. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty, mini Frosty and Agnes Murphy, 1992. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival

Frosty Festival, 1992. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty Festival, 1995. 
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty Festival, 1995.
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty and mini Frosty, 1997.
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 1998.
Image courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

Frosty, 2001.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Several New Faces

In the early 2000s Frosty underwent several swift makeovers including the following:

Frosty circa 2003.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival

Frosty, circa 2004. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty, c. 2004. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty 2005 Edition

In 2005 Frosty underwent yet another transformation. At this time he began to look more like the classic imagery of Frosty the Snowman from cartoons and books. Individual "charcoal" rounds made up his mouth and eyes, and he received a full pointy carrot for his nose.

Frosty retained this base appearance for the next decade, but his wardrobe grew! Originally clad in a naval uniform inspired by James Pearl, Frosty donned several outfits before finding his favourite in 2009. 

2005 Frosty Cup. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

2006 Costumed Skate.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty at the Kentucky Cup 2007.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

2008 Frosty Cup.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty goes bowling in 2009. 
This year he found his favourite outfit.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Kentucky Cup, 2010.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty's Birthday Party, 2011.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty's Birthday Party, 2012.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Costumed skate, 2013. 
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty's Current Form

The current Frosty was introduced in 2015. This version of Frosty is one of the most high-tech versions, and takes into consideration the challenges faced by those who don the Frosty costume.  

"Over the years we started to get fancy and we would order them, and we got them so they [weren't]too hot, even the hood we had something inside of that to keep you a bit cool. They're very expensive." - Agnes Murphy, 2020.

2015 Opening Ceremony.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty Festival, 2016.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty Festival, 2017.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

35th Annual Frosty Festival, 2017.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Frosty Festival Snowga, 2018
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Pirates and Princesses, 2019.
Image courtesy of the Frosty Festival.

Beer Festival, 2020. 

We can't wait to see what the future of the Frosty Festival holds, and we know that although the face of Frosty may change, the spirit behind the festival never will.

If you recognize anyone in these images please let us know on social media or in the comments below.

If you have memories of the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival, share them online at https://bit.ly/2H6vrZb.

Admiralty House Communications Museum will also be collecting photographs from the community to scan for this project. If you have photographs you are willing to share please contact the research team at 709-748-1124 or admiraltyhouse@mountpearl.ca.