In the late 1980s, the snowmen began to take the form of a Lake State rival hockey team, usually whichever team the Lakers were playing that weekend. Sometimes the snowman theme is positive, sometimes it is negative. In recent years it has been dressed for the beach and outfitted to go fishing. LSSU snowmen are constructed by the University's maintenance department. They are made out of wood, paper destined for the recycling bin, along with some straw, wire and some paint.
Poetry is usually a cornerstone event at snowman burnings.
Students, faculty, staff, retirees, townspeople and elementary school children have all written poems for the snowman burning. The poems are read and then the snowman burns. The Unicorn Hunters provided hot cider, sometimes. Daffodils are usually passed out to participants. Several years ago, Public Relations turned the poetry reading into a contest.