Image Credit: Murray Mitchell

By Victor Kaisar

Name That Snowplow!

Winners of inaugural name that snowplow contest in Kamloops unveiled

Mar 1, 2025 | 2:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has unveiled the list of winners in their inaugural name the snowplow contest.

The City says there were 172 total names that were submitted between Jan. 20 and Feb. 10 and that an “impressive” 7,891 votes were cast online.

“Following an avalanche of submissions to our inaugural snowplow naming contest, our snowplows officially have the coolest names in town, thanks to some very creative young minds,” a statement from the City of Kamloops said.

“It was a tough choice, but the enthusiasm from the community was evident.”

Following the voting period, City staff say they reviewed the submissions and settled on the following five winners:

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• Parks Tool Cat: Han Snowlo – Hudson, age 4. This tiny but mighty machine is ready to battle the elements with the force of a Jedi!
• Grader: Darth Grader – Declan, age 9. This big-time snowfighter has embraced the dark side…of snow removal!
• Single Axel Plow: Buzz Ice Clear – Laura, age 9, knew exactly what to do: to infinity and beyond…the snowbanks!
• Snowblower: Blizzard Wizard – Mace, age 9. With a wave of its mechanical wand, this magical machine makes snow disappear in a flash!
• Tandem Plow: Windrow Willy – Bradford, age 3, destroyer of snow drifts and rescuer of roadways. Willy’s on a roll!

Han Snowlo was the second most popular name as it got 851 total votes, behind only Reid Grader-Jackson which got 1,112 votes. Darth Grader was sixth with 779 votes, followed by Windrow Willy in seventh with 724 votes, Buzz Ice Clear in eleventh place with 95 votes, and Blizzard Wizard in 21st place with 27 votes.

Parks and Streets Manager Jeff Putnam told CFJC Today that while people were able to submit as many entries as they wanted, only “family-friendly” names submitted by children under the age of 16 were eligible for consideration.

“There are multiple popular names that have been submitted by more than one person,” Putnam said. “We’re just thrilled with the interest and engagement from the community.”

“This is the first time the city has ever done anything like a naming contest for fleet. I know many other cities have [run similar contests] and with the success we’ve had maybe we’ll do it in other areas of the city as well.”

In addition to bragging rights, the five winners were given prize pack from the City of Kamloops and a picture with the piece of equipment they helped name.