California couple embraces Minnesota winter, creates a 25-foot-long “Snowasaurus”

California man creates 25-foot-tall Snowasaurus

California man creates a 25-foot-tall Snowasaurus 01:55

ANOKA, Min. — There’s a new attraction in Anoka that’s catching the attention of people near and far. It took Allan Papp just a few hours, his two hands and some food coloring to sculpt a 25-foot-tall green Snowasaurus in his front yard.

Allan and his wife moved to Anoka from Northern California in September to be closer to their young grandson named Miles. He inspired his grandfather Allan to carve the snow sculpture.

“He got to see it and take pictures with it, so we were excited about that, he really enjoyed it,” Allan Papp said.

The whole neighborhood loved it, too, with some onlookers driving 45 minutes to see his creation near 5th Avenue and Adams Street.

“It’s overwhelming because I’m not used to so much attention,” Papp said.

From sand sculptures to snow sculptures! Meet the California man who is embracing his first Minnesota winter by warming spirits in his Anoka neighborhood. Tonight at 10pm @WCCO pic.twitter.com/QaC2dL468A

— Kirsten Mitchell (@Kirsten_TV) January 15, 2023

Papp says he’s always been an artist. He painted cars for 30 years and was known to make elaborate sand sculptures with his family on the beaches of California.

“We got tired of making sandcastles, we said let’s do something else, so we started making different animals and sculptures and different things and it just went from there,” he said. “At the end, we would take a family picture with him and that was like our special thing.”

The tradition now continues in Minnesota as they fully embrace their first winter and recognize their neighbors over their Snowasaurus.

“I never thought it would be so popular! It’s really humbling, but I love that people enjoy it and that’s the best part of it all,” Papp said.

The family also goes all out for Halloween. They didn’t know Anoka was the self-proclaimed Halloween capital of the world until they moved there. Papp said, “it was meant to be.”

Kirsten Mitchell

Kirsten Mitchell joined the WCCO team as a reporter in November of 2021. A native of Saint Paul, Kirsten is proud to tell stories in her home state. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Go Gophs!) and interned at WCCO during her time there.

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