We all know it when we see it… The perfect packing snow. In Michigan, many people experience those nostalgic moments of building a snowman or having a snowball fight. With all the snow Michiganders experience each year, could you imagine snowball fights being outlawed? Well, one town in Wisconsin has actually done so.
In Wausau, Wisconsin a person could be fined for throwing a snowball in public places like sidewalks, streets, parks, schools or even against a building. With a population of about 40,000, Wausau classifies snowballs under the same category as rocks.
As early as 2017, people have actually received citations under the ordinance according Wausau Police Patrol Captain, Todd Baeten. The Assistant City Attorney, Tara Alfonso, stated that she has never prosecuted someone for throwing a snowball but in the interest of public safety and common sense, Mayor Robert Mielke says that you just don’t throw stuff at people.
The logic is there, but sometimes it is all just simple fun. At least having a snowball fight at home seems as though it is still fair game. If you’re making plans to visit Wausau, Wisconsin this winter, just be sure to not throw any snowballs in public.
Adapted from the Today Show’s “Wisconsin town outlawed snowball fights” by Callie Patteson
