Somerset woman with help from community creates magical lit-up snowman from nearly 800 milk jugs

A local woman, with some help from strangers, has created a magical piece that reminds us of days gone by as the winter and Christmas season approaches.

Melissa Morgado of Somerset spent many days of labor creating a snowman out of empty milk jugs late last year only to have winds destroy it.

Thanks to help from the community, Morgado created a new snowman this year utilizing 768 jugs, a lot of glue, and a strong base.

“I’m confident he isn’t going anywhere. We built a very solid heavy base inside him that is strapped down with 8 trampoline straps into the ground. He’s also hot glued, roped through every jug handle and my husband added wire spokes inside every few rows to be sure he’s solid. Our only worry now is if the jugs will crack from the snow and freezing temps.”

With help from her husband, Morgado spent countless days and hours putting “Jughead” together.

“We put out a call asking for help saving jugs September 17th. So about 2 months, but I did take a two-week break (my hands were killing me from the glue gun). We dressed Jughead as a mummy for Halloween and then resumed to finish a few days ago. Total between my husband and I about 100 hours or so.”

Despite her tireless labor into the beautiful lit up snowman with his own corncob pipe, Morgado insists it was a real community effort.

“Jughead has received so much attention (over 15,000 likes and over 2,000 shares on one post, and that’s not the only one!) in the last few days, I’ve been in awe. But it’s really the story behind him that’s making him so popular. The town pitched in and made it happen for me. I would never have been able to collect 800 jugs in 5 weeks by myself! The cost of almost all the hot glue sticks was covered with so many generous deliveries! The blanket for his scarf sent to us by my aunt, the matching one for the hat by my mother, the wood for his base to be sure it didn’t fail this year was donated by a stranger that I’ll call my new friend. Of course, my husband, who thought I was crazy last year but fully supported me and helped in every way he could to help it be successful this year. Your daily drop offs of jugs filled my days with smiles. When I would have a rough day and you all would stop by and chat or throw a jug in the bin from your window with a huge grin and a wave, that turned my day around! And it’s pretty evident that he has brought a smile to your faces too. I got to see some kids take their picture with him last night and I thought my heart would burst. I hope that they have those memories for years to come, their excitement was beautiful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping with Jughead.”

If you would like to visit Jughead, he is located at 35 Pierce Lane in Somerset.